
Book 



^V'/ 



If 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 



A SOLDIER S STORY 



OF THE 



Siege of vicksburg, 



From the Diary of 



OSBORN H. OLDROYD, 

'I 

/ Late Sergeant Co. E, 20th Ohio. \ 
V Editor "Lincoln Memorial Album."/ 



WITH 



Confederate Accounts from Authentic Sources, and an 
Introduction by Brevet Maj.-Gen. M. F. Force. 



ILLUSTRATED 

WITH PORTRAITS AND APPROPRIATE ENGRAVINGS, 






SPRINGFIELD, ILL. : 
PUBLISHED FQR THE AUTHOR. 

1885. 










Entered according to Act of Congi-ess, in the year 1885, 

By OSBOKN H. OLDROYD. 

in the office of the Librarian of Con2;rcss. at Washington, D. C. 



H. W. ROKKER, 

Printer, Bindkr and Stereotyper, 

Springfield, III. 



GENERAL CONTENTS. 



Dedication ^. v 

Author's Preface vii 

Introduction BY Maj.-Gen. M. F. Force 1 

Personal Diary 3 

Appendix A : 79 

B « 85 

C 113 

D 125 

E 130 

F 131 

G 133 

" 153 

1 156 

J 181 

Index 197 



iiiililll 





DEDICATION. "i# 



JD tliE bays that fought the 
battles Df the Civil Wapj this 
vnluiTiE is dEdicatEdi The 
picturES Df their daily lifE in 




■><i 



^j campj nn the marchj and in 
^ hattlE; AA/ETE draAA/n upon the 
I field nf actinn, May the 
v|. mEmnry nf thnsE dEEdsnEver 
'^X^PErish, hut evep rEmain 
y fpEshj as a part nf thE rEcnrd 
r^V^^ the hislnric tJni.Es AA/hich 
^knit us tngethEr as 

-^^-^CDMRiinESr-1. 






PR EFACE 



M GEASPED a Harper's Ferry musket and joined Company E, 
|n 20th Ohio Kegiment of Vohmteers, at Camp Chase, in Ohio, 
^ October 15, 1861. Though but nineteen years of age, and in 
delicate health, I soon became acclimated, and took part in nearly 
all the operations of my regiment from the engagement at Fort 
Donelson to the close of the war, when I was mustered out, on the 
19th of July, 1865, in the same camp in which I had enlisted. 

The scenes described in this little volume were put in writing 
at the front. They are not sketches from fancy, produced by 
the aid of memory after the lapse of twenty years, but each 
day's march, battle, or life in the camp, was recorded upon the 
spot — now, at the close of a hard day's march ; again, when 
tired and "hungry after a hotly contested battle ; and again, in 
the camp, while the cross-firing of the contending lines made it 
impossible to find a place secure enough to write down the day's 
transactions. I have brushed the powder of a bursting shell off 
my paper, and changed my position in order to escape the range 
of the enemy's guns. Under such difficulties my diary of the 
siege of Vicksburg was kept. 

All I claim for this volume is, that it is a simple and straight- 
forward story of the life of a soldier in the ranks. It is hoped 
that it may serve the purpose of refreshing the memory of those 
who fought the battles and endured the hardships of our great 
struggle. If it will only serve to kindle that patriotism in the 
heart of some youth, that will enable him to spring to arms at his 
country's call, in defense of the Nation's honor, as did the boys of 
'61, the author shall feel abundantly paid for his labor. 

It is my pleasure to cherish none but the best of feelings to- 
ward those in gray who met us on the field of battle. The men 
in the ranks, on both sides, always met, outside of the battle 



VIII 



PREFACE. 



ground, with the best of feeling for one another ; and now that 
the war is over, they can certainly shake hands most heartily 
across the bloody chasm. 

Our commanding officers will always be remembered as brave 
soldiers and devoted patriots, and they won the hearts of all the 
men in the ranks. 

In closing this preface, I wish to express my most cordial 
thanks to those who have kindly loaned their portraits to be 
engraved for this volume. 

"With malice toward none, with charity for all," 

I subscribe myself. 



Lincoln Mansion, Springfield, III., 
July 4th, 1885. 



OsBOEN H. Oldroyd. 







INTRODUCTION. 




^j^ISTORY treats of men in masses. It does not undertake 
to portray individuals, except leaders and men of promi- 
nence. The histories of our civil war tell of the move- 

'" ments of armies and acts of generals. But the war was a 
popular uprising. It was carried on by the people. It cannot be 
understood without a knowledge of the enlisted men, — how they 
felt, how they lived, what they thought. 

The diary kept by an enlisted man through the Vicksburg cam- 
paign is a valuable contribution to such knowledge. The writer, 
OsBOKN H. Oldroyd, while yet not of age, was appointed Fifth Ser- 
geant of Company E, 20th Ohio, just before the battle of Ray- 
mond. His company went into the battle under the command 
of the Second Lieutenant. Early in the engagement the lieu- 
tenant was shot through the neck ; the First Sergeant was killed, 
and soon young Oldroyd was in command of the company. He 
gallantly held the responsible post till the close of the battle. In- 
telhgent, trusty, honorable, his narrative may be depended upon 
as a faithful description of what he saw. 

M. F. Force. 
Cincinnati, Ohio, 1885. 



PERSONAL REMINISCENCE, 




May 1st, 1863. — Logan's Division, to which we belonged, em- 
barked on transports, that had passed the batteries at Yicksburg 
and Grand Gulf, last night, about two miles below the latter 
place, where we had marched down the Louisiana levee to meet 
the boats. Crossing the Mississippi river, we landed at Bruins- 
burg, and left that place this forenoon at 10 o'clock, marching 
twelve miles over dusty roads and through a hilly and broken 
country. Although the l)oys were tired, their minds were diverted 
^^_^^^i^^_^^_^^ _ with the scenery of a new 



State. After crossing the 
great Mississippi, we bade 
farewell to Louisiana and its 
alligators, and are now inhal- 
(y^-.^^^^Ki, ing the fragrance and delight- 
f ul odors of Mississippi flow- 
ers. Arriving near Port Gib- 
son about dark, found that the 
advance of Mc demand's 
corps had defeated the enemy, 




4 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 

who had marched out from Vicksburg to check our army. The 
fight was quite spirited, and the rebels hotly and bravely con- 
tested every foot of ground, but they were overpowered, as they 
will be in every engagement they have with us. Having only two 
days' rations in our haversacks, guess we will have to eat rather 
sparingly of them, for our wagon train is not on the road. Should 
rations run short, we will have to forage off the country ; but even 
the supplies from that source will not feed Grant's large army. 
We were well satisfied, however, that the stars and stripes were 
victorious, in this battle, without our assistance. We did not 
smell the battle afar off, but heard cannonading through the day, 
and fully expected to take a hand in it. Wlien we stopped, as we 
supposed, for the night, our Colonel drew the regiment into line, 
and said Gen. McPherson had asked him if his regiment was too 
wearied to folio a^ the retreating enemy. When the question was 
put to the men, every one wanted to go, and started on the trail 
with the swiftness of fresh troops, marching as rapidly as pos- 
sible until 10 o'clock, then camped in a ravine for the night. 
During this rapid movement, we did some skirmishing. The 
Confederate army had retreated, and we made the tail of it fly 
over the road pretty lively. 

"The battle was fought, and the victory won: 
Thi'ee cheers for the Union! the work was well done.' 




Porter's Gun-boats in front of Grand Gulf. 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. O 

May 2nd, — As the sun peeped over the eastern horizon, we 
shpped out of camp and went our way rejoicing. Oh, how beauti- 
ful the morning ; cahn and pleasant, with the great variety of 
birds warbling, as though all was peace and quiet. When camp- 
ing in the darkness of night, our surroundings astonish us in the 
broad day light. We scarcely know our next door neighbor until 
the morning light gleams upon him. While waiting orders to 
move, many thousand troops passed to the front, so I think our 
regiment will see another day pass with unbroken ranks. We 
have the very best fighting material in our regiment, and a.e ever 
ready for action, but are not particularly "spoiling for a tight." 
Our turn will come, as it did at Fort Donelson, Shiloh and many 
other fields of glory. It is quite common to hear soldiers who 
have never seen the first fight say they are afraid they will never 
get any of the glories of this war. They never "spoil" for the 
second fight, but get glory enough in the first to last them. When 
our regiment was living upon soft bread and luxuries of sweet 
things from home, while camped in the rear of Covington, Ken- 
tucky, we thought that the war would be over and our names not 
be spread upon our banners as the victors in a battle. There is 
glory enough for all. We stopped awhile in Port Gibson, and the 
boys found a lot of blank bank currency of different denomina- 
tions, upon the Port Gibson bank. They signed some of them, 
and it is quite common to see a private of yesterday a bank presi- 
dent to-day. This may not l)ecome a circulating medium to a 
Tery great extent, but it is not at all likely that it will be refused by 
the inhabitants along our route wdien tendered in payment for 
corn-bread, sweet potatoes, etc. In the afternoon we stopped 
awhile, and taking advantage of the halt made coffee, which is 
generally done, whether it is noon or not. There is a wonderful 
stimulant in a cup of coffee, and as \ve require a great nerve 
tonic, coffee is eagerly sought after. Dick Hunt, of Company G, 
and Tom McYey, of Co. B, discovered a poor lonely confederate 
chicken by the roadside. By some hen strategem it had eluded 
the eyes of at least ten thousand Yankees, but when the 20th 
Ohio came along the searching eyes of thee e two members espied 
its place of concealment. They chased it under an outhouse, 
which was on stilts, as a great many of the southern houses are. 
Dick being rather the fleetest crawled under the house and secur- 
ed the feathered prize, but Tom seeing his defeat in not securing 
a "preacher's dinner," found a coffee-pot under another corner of 



6 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



the house, which he brought to daylight, and it proved to be full 
of silver coin mostly dollars. These he traded off to the boys 
for paper, as he could not carry his load. How foolish it is for 
the Southern people to flee and leave their beautiful property to 
the foe. We only want something to eat. There are some who 
would apply the torch to a deserted home, that would not do 
so if the owners remained in it. It is quite common here 
to build the chimneys on the outside of the houses, and I have 
noticed them still standing where the house had been burned. 
The march to-day, towards Black Eiver, has been a very pleasant 
one. I suppose Grant knows where he is taking us to, for we 
don't, not having had any communications with him lately upon 
the subject. 

May 3d. — Called up early, and off on the march. Received a 
mail to-day, which was a welcome visitor to many, as it is the 
first one for some time. May they come oftener, and to every 
soldier. One poor fellow, who did not receive a letter, declared 
his girl had grown tired of him, and probably taken a beau at 
home. Another sympathized with him in the disappointment, 
and offered to let him read the letter he had received from his 
girl, who was aiding and encouraging him with her prayers. 
Pursued the enemy through the day, and were at their heels all 
the time, and at evening caught sight of them crossing Hankin- 
son's Ferry, on Black River. We made a rapid charge upon them, 
firing as we ran, while DeGolier's battery shelled them. Some 
few were shot while crossing the bridge. I suppose they have re- 
treated to Vicksburg, as they are on a direct road to that place. 
After driving the enemy across the temporary bridge, we closed 
up business for the night, and sought our blankets. 




III!§pi-^j ^ 



Field Gun- Carriage. 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBUKG. 




12-pound Howitzer. 

May 4th. — Early this morning the rebels planted a battery in 
the woods on the opposite side of the river, and sent shot and 
shell crashing into our camp. DeGolier's battery was soon in 
position, and silenced them before any damage was done. I hope 
DeGolier and his battery will be with ns through all our engage- 
ments, for a braver man never lived. Some of his artillerymen 
said, he would rise up in his sleep, last "night, and say, "give them 
canister, boys !" 

I was detailed with a squad to patrol the river bank, and, in 
doing so, came in collision with the enemy. Some of the boys 
could not resist the temptation to take a swim. They did not 
think of the danger, until they were fired upon. When they went 
in, they complained of the water being cold ; but they were not 
in long before it became too hot for them. They got out of that 
stream remarkably quick, and some did not stop to get their 
clothing, but flew for camp as naked as they were born. They 
did not know but the woods were full of rebels, A soldier's life 
has its share of fun as well as of the sad and marvelous. 

I suppose this is considered an unsafe place to leave unguarded, 
so we remain another day. 

May 5th. — We were annoyed some little through the night, by 
the rebels firing, but they didn't hit anybody. Two regiments of 
infantry with some cavalry crossed the river for a little scout. I 
do not think there are many rebels over there, but what few there 
are, ought to be whipped. They will have to fall back at the ap- 
proach of our men, but that is easily done, and, when our forces 
return, they will be right back firing from behind the trees. 



8 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 

The army is marching on around Yicksburg, and we are very- 
anxious to take our place in this grand column. We are quite 
tired of the duties assigned us here, and have had orders to move 
several times, which were as often countermanded. 

Had chicken for dinner. Uncle Sam doesn't furnish chickens 
in his bill of fare, but they will get into the camp kettle. We 
have to be very saving of the regular rations, consequently must 
look outside for extras — chickens, ham, sweet potatoes, etc., all 
taste good. I walked down the river a short distance, viewing 
the scenery, when a bullet flew through the trees not far from my 
head. I looked across the river from whence it came, but could 
not see anybody. Did not stay there long, but got back to 
camp, where I felt safer. 

Our camp is in the bottom, close to the river bank. The enemy 
at Grand Gulf spiked their cannon and retreated to Vicksburg. 
If that place could not be taken by the gun-boats on the river in 
front, the infantry marching in their rear made them hustle out 
in a hurry. When the people in Vicksburg see their retreating 
troops returning to the town they went out to protect, they will 
think Grant's marching around them means something. 

While writing a few letters to-day I was amused to notice the 
various attitudes taken by the boys while writing. One wrote 
on a drum-head, another on his cartridge-box ; one used a board 
and several wrote on the top of a battery caisson. These letters 
would be more highly appreciated by the recipients if the circum- 
stances under which they were prepared were realized. 

May 6th. — This day has been a hot one, but as our duties 
have not been of an arduous nature we have sought the shade 
and kept quiet. While in camp, the boys very freely comment 
upon our destination, and give every detail of progress a general 
overhauling. The ranks of our volunteer regiments were filled 
at the first call for troops. That call opened the doors of both 
rich and poor, and out sprang merchant, farmer, lawyer, physician 
and mechanics of every calling, whose true and loyal hearts all 
beat in unison for their country. The first shot that struck 
Sumpter's wall sent an electric shot to every loyal breast, and to- 
day we have in our ranks material for future captains, colonels 
and generals, who before this war is ended will be sought out and 
honored. 

It can not be possible that we are to be kept at this place much 
longer, for it is not very desirable as a permanent location. Of 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. \f 

course we are here for some purpose, and I suppose that to be to 
prevent the enemy from assaihng our line of suppHes. As they 
are famiHar with the country they can annoy us exceedingly 
wdtliout much loss to themselves. But after we have captured 
Yicksburg, and the history of Grant's movements is known, we 
shall then understand why we guarded Hankinson's Ferry so 
long. One of the boys said he thought Mr. Hankinson owed us 
something nice for taking such good care of his ferry for him. 
The variety of comments and opinions expressed in camp by the 
men is very curious. Some say we are going to surround Vicks- 
burg, others think Grant is feeling for the enemy's weakest point 
there to strike him, and one cool head remarked that it was all 
right wherever we went while Grant was leading, for he had never 
known defeat. Confidence in a good general stiffens a soldier — 
a rule that ought to work both ways. Surely no leader ever had 
more of the confidence of those he led than General Grant. He 
is not as social as McPherson, Sherman, Logan and some others, 
but seems all the while careful of the comfort of his men, with 
an eye single to success. Great responsibilities, perhaps, sup- 
press his social qualities, for the present; for each day presents 
new obstacles to be met and overcome without delay. The 
enemy are doing all they can to hinder us, but let Grant say for- 
ward, and we obey. 

Unable to sleep last night, I strolled about the camp awhile. 
Cause of my wakefulness, probably too much chicken yesterday. 
I appeared to be the only one in such a state, for the rest were 

"Lost in heavy slumbers. 

Free from toil and strife. 
Dreaming of their dear ones, 

Home and child and wife; 
Tentless they are lying. 

While the moon shines bright. 
Sleeping in their blankets. 

Beneath the summer's night." 

May 7th. — Our company detailed and reported this morning 
at headquarters for picket duty, but not being needed, returned 
to camp. Were somewhat disappointed, for we preferred a day 
on picket by way of change. 

Pickets are the eyes of the army and the terror of those who 
live in close proximity to their line. Twenty- four hours on picket 
is hardly ever passed without some good foraging. 



10 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 

We broke camp at ten o'clock A. M., and very glad of it. After 
a pleasant tramp of ten miles we reached Eocky Springs. Here 
we have good, cold spring water, fresh from the bosom of the hills. 

We have met several of the men of this section who have ex- 
pressed surprise at the great number of troops passing. They 
think there must be a million of "you'ns" coming down here. 
We have assured them they have not seen half of our army. To 
our faces these citizens seem good Union men, but behind our 
backs, no doubt their sentiments undergo a change. Probably they 
were among those who fired at us, and will do it again as soon as 
they dare. I have not seen a regular acknowledged rebel since 
we crossed the river, except those we have seen in their army. 
They may well be surprised at the size of our force, for this 
Vicksburg expedition is indeed a big thing, and I am afraid the 
people who were instrumental in plunging this country headlong 
into this war have not yet realized what evils they have waked 
up. They are just beginning to open their eyes to war's career of 
devastation. They must not complain when they go out to the 
barnyard in the morning and find a hog or two missing at roll- 
call, or a few chickens less to pick corn and be picked in turn for 
the pot. I think these southern people will be benefited by the 
general diffusion of information which our army is introducing; 
and after the war new enterprise and better arts will follow — the 
steel plow, for instance, in place of the bull-tongue or old root 
that has been in use here so long to scratch the soil. The South 
must suffer, but out of that suffering will come wisdom. 

May 8th. — We were ready to continue our march, but were not 
ordered out. Some white citizens came into camp to see the 
"Yankees,',' as they call us. Of course they do not know the 
meaning of the term, but apply it to all Union soldiers. They 
will think there are plenty of Yankees on this road if they watch 
it. The country here looks desolate. The owners of the planta- 
tions are "dun gone," and the fortunes of war have cleared away 
the fences. One of the boys foraged to-day and brought into 
camp, in his blanket, a variety of vegetables — and nothing is so 
palatable to us now as a vegetable meal, for we have been living 
a little too long on nothing but bacon. Pickles taste lirst-rate. 
I always write home for pickles, and I've a lady friend who makes 
and sends me, when she can, the best kind of "ketchup." There 
is nothing else I eat that makes me cafcli up so quick. There is 



THE SIEGR OF VICKSBUEG. 11 

another article we learn to appreciate in camp, and that is news- 
papers — something fresh to read. The hoys frequently hring in 
reading matter with their forage. Almost anything in print is 
better than nothing. A novel was brought in to-day, and as soon 
as it was caught sight of a score or more had engaged in turn the 
reading of it. It will soon be read to pieces, though handled as 
carefully as possible, under the circumstances. We can not get 
reading supplies from home down here. I know papers have 
been sent to me, but I never got them. The health of our boys 
is good, and they are brimful of spirits (not "commissary"). We 
are generally better on the march than in camp, where we are 
too apt to get lazy, and grumble ; but when moving we digest 
almost anything. When soldiers get bilious, they can not be satis- 
fied until they are set in motion. 

May 9rH. — Orders this morning to draw two days' rations, pack 
up and be re^dy to move at a moment's warning. We drew 
hard-tack, cotfee, bacon, salt and sugar, and stored them in our 
haversacks. Some take great care so to pack the hard-tack that 
it will not dig into the side while marching, for if a corner sticks 
out too much anywhere, it is only too apt to leave its mark on 
the soldier. Bacon, too, must be so placed as not to grease the 
blouse or pants. I see many a bacon badge about me — generally 
in the region of the left hip. In filling canteens, if the covers 
get wet the moisture soaks through and scalds the skin. The tin 
cup or coffee-can is generally tied to the canteen or else to the 
blanket or haversack, and it rattles along the road, reminding 
one of the sound of the old cow coming home. All trifling 
troubles like these on the march may be easily forestalled by a 
little care, but care is something a soldier is not apt to take, and 
he too often packs his "grub" as hurriedly as he "bolts" it. We 
were soon ready to move, and filled our canteens with the best 
water we have had for months. We dul not actually get our 
marching order, however, until near three o'clock P. M., so that 
being anxious to take fresh water with us, we had to empty 
and refill canteens several times. As we waited for the order, a 
good view was afforded us of the passing troops, and the bristling 
lines really looked as if there was war ahead. 

0, what a grand army this is, and what a sight to tire the heart 
of a spectator with a speck of patriotism in his bosom. I shall 
never forget the scene of to-day, while looking back upon a mile 



12 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBUEG. 

of solid columns, mircbing with their old tattered flags streaming 
in the summer breeze, and hearkening to the firm tramp of their 
broad brogans keeping step to the pealing fife and drum, or the 
regimental bands discoursing "Yankee Doodle" or "The Girl I 
Left Behind Me." I say it was a grand spectacle — but how dif- 
ferent the scene when we meet the foe advancing to the strains of 
"Dixie" and "The Bonny Blue Flag." True, I have no fears for 
the result of such a meeting, for we are marching full of the 
prestige of victory, while our foes have had little but defeat for 
the last two years. There is an inspiration in the memory of 
victory. Marching through this hostile country with large odds 
against us, we have crossed the great river and wi 1 cut our way 
through to Vicksburg, let what dangers may confront u-;. To 
turn back we should be overwhelmed with hos s exulting on their 
own native soil. These people can and will fight despera'ely, but 
they cannot put a barrier in our way that we cannot pass. 
Camped a little after dark. 

May 10th. — Left camp after dinner. Dinner generally means 
noon, but our dinner-time on the march is quite irregular. Ad- 
vanced unmolested till within about three miles of Utica, and 
camped again at dark. 

This forenoon my bunk-mate (Cal. Waddle) and I went to a 
house near camp to get some corn bread, but struck the wrong 
place, for we found the young mistress who had jusfil)een desert- 
ed by her negroes, all alone, crying, with but a scant allowance 
of provisions left her. She had never learned to cook, and in 
fact was a complete stranger to housework of any kind. Her 
time is now at hand to learn the great lesson of humanity. There 
has been a. little too much idleness among these planters. But 
although I am glad the negroes are free I don't like to see them 
leaving a good home, for good homes some of them I know are 
leaving. They have caught the idea from some unknown source 
that freedom means fine dress, furniture, carriages and luxuries. 
Little do they yet know of the scripture — "In the sweat of thy 
face shalt thou eat bread." I am for the Emancipation Procla- 
mation, but I do not believe in cheating them. This lady's hus- 
band is a confederate officer now in Vicksburg, who told her when 
he left she should never see a Yankee "down thar." Well, we 
had to tell her we were ' 'thar, " though, and to our question what she 
thought of us, after wiping her eyes her reply was we were very 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBUKG. 13 

nice looking fellows. We were not fishing for compliments, but 
we like to get their opinions at sight, for they have been led, ap- 
parently, to expect to find the Lincoln soldier more of a beast 
than human. At least such is the belief among the lower 
sort. Negroes and poor whites here seem to be on an equality, so 
far as education is concerned and the respect of the better classes. 
I have not seen a single school-house since I have been in Dixie, 
and I do not believe such a thing exists outside of their cities. 
But this war will revolutionize things, and among others I hope 
change this state of affairs for the better. 

War is a keen analyzer of a soldier's character. It reveals 
in camp, on the march and in battle the true principles of the 
man better than they are shown in the every-day walks of life. 
Here he has a chance to throw off the vicious habits of the past, 
and take such a stand as to gain a lasting reputation for good, 
or, if he dies upon the field, the glory of his achievements, noble 
deeds and soldierly bearing in camp will live in the memory of his 
comrades. Every soldier has a personal history to make, which 
will be agreeable, or not, as he chooses. A company of soldiers 
are as a family; and, if every member of it does his duty towards 
the promotion of good humor, much will be done toward soften- 
ing the hardships of that sort of life. 

This is Sunday, and few seem to realize it. I would not have 
known it mys-elf but formy diary. I said, "boys this is Sunday." 
Somebody asked, "how do you know it is?" I replied my diary 
told me. Another remarked, "you ought to tell us then when 
Sunday comes round so we can try to be a little better than on 
week days." While in regular camps we have had preaching by 
the Chaplains, but now that we are on the move that service is 
dispensed with, and what has become of the Chaplains now I am 
unable to say. Probably buying and selling cotton, for some of 
them are regular tricksters, and think more of filling their own 
pockets with greenbacks than the hearts of soldiers with the 
word of God. 

May 11th. — We drew two days' rations and marched till noon. 
My company, E, being detailed for rearguard, a very undesirable 
position. General Logan thinks we shall have a fight soon. I 
am not particularly anxious for one, but if it comes I will make my 
musket talk. As we contemplate a battle, those who have been 
spoiling for a fight cease to be heard. It does not even take the 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBUEG. 15 

smell of powder to quiet their nerves — a rumor being quite suf- 
ficient. 

We have no means of knowing the number of troops in Yicks- 
burg, but if they were well generaled and thrown against us at 
some particular point, the matter might be decided without going 
any further. If they can not whip us on our journey around their 
city, why do they not stay at home and strengthen their boasted 
position, and not lose so many men in battle to discourage the re- 
mainder ? We are steadily advancing, and propose to keep on un- 
til we get them where they can't retreat. My fear is that they 
may cut our supply train, and then we should be in a bad fix. 
Should that happen and they get us real hungry, I am afraid 
short work would be made of taking Vicksburg. 

Having seen the four great Generals of this department, shall 
always feel honored that I was a member of Force's 20th Ohio, 
Logan's Division, McPherson's Corps of Grant's Army. The ex- 
pression upon the face of Grant was stern and care-worn, but de- 
termined. McPherson's was the most pleasant and courteous — 
a perfect gentleman and an officer that the 17th corps fairly wor- 
ships. Sherman has a quicker and more dashing movement 
than some others, a long neck, rather sharp features, and alto- 
gether just such a man as might lead an army through the 
enemy's country. Logan is brave and does not seem to know 
what defeat means. We feel that he will bring us out of every 
fight victorious. I want no better or braver officers to fight un- 
der. I have often thought of the sacrifice that a General might 
make of his men in order to enhance his own eclat, for they do 
not always seem to display the good judgment they should. But 
I have no fear of a needless sacrifice of life through any mis- 
management of this army. 

May 12th. — Roused up early and before daylight marched, the 
20th in the lead. Now we have the honored position, and will 
probably get the first taste of battle. At nine o'clock slight 
skirmishing began in front, and at eleven we filed into a field on 
the right of the road, where another regiment joined us on our 
right, with two other regiments on the left of the road and a bat- 
tery in the road itself. In this position our line marched down 
through open fields until we reached the fence, which we scaled 
and stacked arms in the edge of a piece of timber. No sooner 
had we done this than the boys fell to amusing themselves in 



16 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 




DeGolier's Battery going into action at tlie Battle of Raymond. 

various ways, taking little heed of the danger about to be en- 
tered. A group here and there were employed in "euchre," for 
cards seem always handy enough where soldiers are. Another 
little squad was discussing the scenes of the morning. One 
soldier picked up several canteens, saying he would go ahead 
and see if he could fill them. Soon after he disappeared, he re- 
turned with a quicker pace and with but one canteen full, saying, 
when asked why he came back so quick — -"while I was filling the 
canteen I heard a noise, and looking up discovered several John- 
nies behind trees, getting ready to shoot, and I concluded I would 
retire at once and report." Meanwhile my bedfellow had taken 
from his pocket a small mirror and was combing his hair and 
moustache. Said some one to him, "Cal., you needn't fix up so 
nice to go into battle, for the rebs won't think any better of you 
for it." 

Just here the firing began in our front, and we got orders : "At- 
tention ! Fall in — take arms— forward — double-quick, march!" 
And we moved quite lively, as the rebel bullets did likewise. We 
had advanced but a short distance — probably a hundred yards — 
when we came to a creek, the bank of which was high, but down 
we slid, and wading through the water, which was up to our 
knees, dropped upon the opposite side and began firing at Avill. 
We did not have to be told to shoot, for the enemy were but a hun- 
dred yards in front of us, and it seemed to be in the minds of both 
officers and men that this was the very spot in which to settle the 
question of our right of way. They fought desperately, and no 
doubt they fully expected to whip us early in the fight, before we 
could get reinforcements. There was no bank in front to protect 
my company, and the space between us and the foe was open and 
perfectly level. Every man of us knew it would be sure death to 
all to retreat, for we had behind us a bank seven feet high, made 



i 



THE SIEGE OF VIOKSBURG. 



17 



slippery by the wading and climbing back of the wounded, and 
where the foe could be at our heels in a moment. However, we 
had no idea of retreating, had the ground been twice as inviting ; 
but taking in the situation only strung us up to higher determi- 
nation. The regiment to the right of us was giving way, but 
just as the line was wavering and about to be hopelessly broken, 
Logan dashed up, and with the shriek of an eagle turned them, 
back to their places, which they regained and held. Had it not 
been for Logan's timely intervention, who was continually riding 
up and down the line, firing the men with his own enthusiasm, 
our line would undoubtedly have been broken at some point. For 
two hours the contest raged furiously, but as man after man 
dropped dead or wounded, the rest were inspired the more firmly 
to hold fast tJieir places and avenge the fallen. The creek was 
running red with precious blood spilt for our country. My bunk- 
mate and I were kneeling side by side 
when a ball crashed through his bi-ain, 
and he fell over with a mortal wound. 
With the assistance of two others I 
picked him up, carried him over the 
bank in our rear, and laid behind a 
tree, removing from his pocket, watch 
and trinkets, and the same little mir- 
ror that had helped him make his last 
toilet but a little while before. We 
then went back to our company after 
an absence of but a few minutes. 
Shot and shell from the enemy came 
over thicker and faster, while the trees john Caivin Waddeii, Corporal Co. 

T 1 , i.- 4. • 1 E, 2Uth Ohio, killed May 12,1863. 

rallied bunches or twigs around us. 

One by one the boys were dropping out cf my company. The 
second lieutenant in command was wounded ; the orderly ser- 
geant dropped dead, and I find myself (fifth sergeant) in com- 
mand of the handful remaining. In front of us was a reb in a 
red shirt, when one of our boys, raising his gun, remarked, "see 
me bring that red shirt down," while another cried out, "hold on, 
that is my man." Both fired, and the red shirt fell — it may be 
riddled by more than those two shots. A red shirt is, of course, 
rather too conspicuous on a battle field. Into another part of 
the line the enemy charged, fighting hand to hand, being too close 
to fire, and using the butts of their guns. But they were all 
—2 




18 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 




Hand-to-hand eoiifliet. 

forced to give way at last, and we followed them up for a short 
distance, when we were passed by our own reinforcements coming 
up just as we had whipped the enemy. I took the roll-book from 
the pocket of our dead sergeant, and found that while we had 
gone in with thirty-two men, we came out with but sixteen — one- 
half of the brave little band, but a few hours before so full of 
liope and patriotism, either killed or wounded. Nearly all the 
survivors could show bullet marks in clothing or flesh, but no 
man left the tieltl on account of wounds. When I told Colonel 
Force of our loss, I saw tears course down his cheeks, and so in- 
tent were his thoughts upon his fallen men that he failed to note 
the bursting of a shell above. him, scattering the powder over his 
person, as he sat at the foot of a tree. 

Although our ranks have been so thinned by to-day's battle 
our will is stronger than ever to march and fight on, and avenge 
the death of those we must leave behind. I am very sad on account 
of the loss of so many of my comrades, especially the one who 
bunked with me, and who had been to me like a brother, even 
sharing my load when it grew burdensome. He has fallen; 
may he sleep quietly under the shadows of those old oaks which 
looked down upon the struggle of to-day. 

We moved up to the town of Raymond and there camped. I 
suppose this will be named the battle of Eaymond. The citizens 
had prepared a good dinner for the rebels on their return from 
victory, but as they actually returned from defeat they were in 
too much of a hurry to enjoy it. It is amusing now to hear the 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBUEG. 19 

boys relating their experiences going into battle. All agree that 
to be under fire without the privilege of returning it is uncom- 
fortable — a feeling which soon wears off when their own fii'ing 
begins. I suppose the sensations of our boys are as varied as their 
individualities. No matter how brave a man may be, when he 
first faces the muskets and cannon of an enemy he is seized 
with a certain degree of fear, and to some it becomes an occa- 
sion of an involuntary but very sober review of their past 
lives. There is now little time for meditation ; scenes change 
rapidly ; he quickly resolves to do better if spared, but when 
afterward marching from a victorious field such good resolutions 
are easily forgotten. I confess, with humble pleasure, that I 
have never neglected to ask God's protection when going into a 
fight, nor thanking him for the privilege of coming out again 
alive. The only thought that troubles me is that of falling 
into an unknown grave. 

The battle to-day opened very suddenly, and when DeGolier's 
battery began to thunder, while the infantry fire was like the 
pattering of a shower, some cooks, happening to be surprised near 
the front, broke for the rear carrying their utensils. One of them 
with a kettle in his hand, rushing_ at the top of his speed, met 
General Logan, who halted him, asking where he was going, 
when the cook piteously cried, "Oh General, I've got no gun, and 
such a snapping and cracking as there is up yonder I never heard 
before." The General let him pass to the rear. 

*Thomas Piunyan, of Company X, was wounded by a musket 
ball which entered the right eye, and passing behind the left 
forced it out upon his cheek. As the regiment passed, I sav*' him 
lying by the side of the road, tearing the ground in his death 
struggle. 

May 13th. — Up early, and on the march to Jackson, as we 
suppose. 

I dreamed of my bunk-mate last night. Wonder if his re- 
mains will be put where they can be found, for I would like, if I 
ever get the chance, to put a board with his name on it at the 
head of his grave. When we enlisted we all paired off, each 
selecting his comrade— such a one as would be congenial and 
agreeable to him — and as yesterday's battle broke a good many 

*NoTE.— When the regiment was being mustered out in July, 1865. Thomas 
Runyan. who had been left for dead, visited the regiment. He said he eanie "to see 
the boys." He was.ot course, totally blind. 



20 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



such bonds, new ties have been forming, — as the boys say, new 
couples are getting mamed. If married people could always 
live as congenial and content as two soldiers sleeping under the 
same blanket, there would be more happiness in the world. I 
shall await the return of one of the wounded. 

We arrived at Clinton after dark, a place on the Jackson and 
Yicksburg railroad. Yesterday a train ran through, the last that 
will ever be run by confederates. The orders are to destroy the 
road here in each direction. We expected to have to fight for 
this spot, but instead we took possession unmolested. "Cotton is 
king," and finding a good deal here, we have made our beds of it. 

May 14th. — Started again this morning for Jackson. When 
within five miles of the city we heard heavy firing. It has rained 
hard to-day and we have had both a wet and muddy time, push- 
ing at the heavy artillery and provision wagons accompanying us 
when they stuck 
in the mud. The 
rain came down JS „ 

WfM/MTf 



in perfect tor- 
rents. What a 
sight ! Ambu- 
lances creeping 
along at the side 
of the track — 
artillery toiling 
in the deep ruts, 
while Generals 
with their aids 
and orderlies 
splashed mud 
and water in 
every direction 
in passing. We 
were all wet to 
the skin, but 
plodded on pa- 
tiently, for the 
love of country. 

When within a few miles of Jackson, the news reached us that 
Sherman had slipped round to the right and captured the place, 




THE SIEGE OF VICKSBUKG. 21 

and the shout that went up from the men on the receipt of that 
news was mvigoratmg to them m the midst of trouble. I 
think they could have been heard in Jackson. Sherman's army 
at the right and McPherson in our immediate front, with one 
desperate charge we ran without stopping till we reached the town. 
The flower of the confederate forces, the pride of the Southern 
States who had never yet known defeat, came up to Jackson last 
night to help demolish Grant's army, but for once they failed. 
Veterans of Georgia stationed as reserves were also forced to yield 
in dismay, and never stopped retreating till they had passed far 
south of the Capital which they had striven so valiantly to de- 
fend. To-night the stars and stripes float proudly over the 
cupola of the seat of government of Mississippi — and if my own 
regiment has not had a chance to-day to cover itself with glory 
it has with mud. 

I shall not soon forget the conversation I have had with a 
Avounded rebel. He said that his regiment last night was full of 
men who had never before met us, and who felt sure it would be 
easy to whip us. How they were deceived ! He said part of 
his regiment was behind a hedge fence, where they felt compara- 
tively safe, but the Yankees jumped right over without stopping, 
and swept everything before them, I never saw flner looking men 
than the killed and wounded rebels of to-day, and with the 
smooth face of one of them, lying in a garden mortally wounded, 
I was so taken, that I eased his thirst with a drink from my 
own canteen. His piteous glance at me at that time I shall 
never forget. It is on the battle field and among the dead and 
dying we get to know each other better — nay, even our own selves. 
Administering to a stranger, we think of his mother's love, as 
dear to him as our own to us. When the fight is over, away all 
bitterness. Let us leave with the foe some tokens of good will, 
that, when the cruel war at last is over, may be kindly remem- 
bered. I trust our enemies may yet be led to hail in good faith 
the return of peace and the restoration of the Union. This is a 
domestic war, the saddest of all, being fought l)etween those 
whose hearts should be as brothers ; and when it is at an end, 
may those hearts again throb together beneath the folds of the 
flag that once waved for defence over their sires and themselves 
—a flag whose proud motto will be, "peace on earth and good 
will to men." 



22 THE SIEGE OF 'V^CKSBURG. 

Some of the boys went down into the city to view our new pos- 
session. It seems ablaze, but I trust only public property is be- 
ing destroyed, or such as might aid and comfort the enemy here- 
after. 

I am very tired, and of course can easily get excused, so I will 
go to my bed on the ground. 

May 15th. — The familiar "Attention, battalion!" was heard 
from our Colonel, when we marched back upon the same road 
that had led us to Jackson, camping as usual at dark. We 
passed through Clinton, and the inhabitants were surprised to 
see us returning so soon, for they fully expected to hear of our 
being defeated and driven back. But they did not know our 
metal. The last few days have been full of excitement, and 
although we have marched and fought hard, and lost some of our 
best men, besides getting tired and hungry ourselves, we are more 
resolved than ever to keep the ball rolling. The thinner our ranks 
are made by fighting and disease, the closer together the rem- 
nants are brought. We shall close up the ranks and press for- 
ward until the foe is vanquished. Soldiers grow more friendly as 
they are brought better to realize the terrible ravages of war. As 
Colonel Force called us to "Attention !" this morning, one of the 
boys remarked, "I love that man more than ever." Yes, we have 
good reason to be proud of our Colonel, for upon all occasions we 
are treated by him as volunteers enlisted in war from pure love 
of country, and not regulars, drawn into service from various 
other motives, in time of peace. 

May 16th. — We rolled out of bed this morning early, and had 
our breakfast of slapjacks made of flour, salt and water, which 
lie on a man's stomach like cakes of lead — for we are out of all 
rations but flour and salt, though we hope soon for some variety. 
We heard heavy firing about eleven o'clock. Our division reached 
Champion Hill about two P. M., and flledinto a field on the right 
of the road. We were drawn up in a line facing the woods through 
which ran the road we had just left. It was by this road the 
rebels came out of Vicksburg to whip us. We had orders to lie 
down. The command was obeyed with alacrity, for bullets were 
already whizzing over our heads. I never hugged Dixie's soil as 
close as I have to-day. We crowded together as tight as we could, 
fairly plowing our faces into the ground. Occasionally a ball 
would pick its man in spite of precaution, and he would have to 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 23 

slip to the rear. Soon we got orders to rise up, and in an instant 
every man was on his feet. If the former oi^derwas well obeyed, 
the latter was equally so. The enemy charged out of the woods 
in front of us in a solid line, and as they were climbing the fence 
between us, which separated the open field from the timber, De- 
Golier's battery, stationed in our front, opened on them with 
grape and canister, and completely annihilated men and fence, 
and forced the enemy to fall back. Such terrible execution by a 
battery 1 never saw. It seemed as if every shell burst just as it 
reached the fence, and rails and rebs flew into the air together. 
They, finding our center too strong, renewed their charge on our 
left, and succeeded in driving it a short distance, but their suc- 
cess was only for a moment, for our boys rallied, and with rein- 
forcements drove them in turn. We now charged into the woods 
and drove them a little ways, and as we charged over the spot so 
lately occupied by the foe, we saw the destruction caused by our 
battery, the ground being covered thickly with rebel grey. When 
we reached the woods we were exposed to a galling fire, and were 
at one time nearly surrounded, but we fought there hard until 
our ammunition was exhausted, when we fixed bayonets and pre- 
pared to hold our ground. A fresh supply of ammunition soon 
came up, when we felt all was well with us again. Meanwhile 
the right of our line succeeded in getting around to their left, 
whtn the enemy retreated towards Vicksburg, lest they should 
be cut off. 

The battle to-day was commenced early in the morning by 
McClernand's great fighting corps, and was a hot and severe con- 
test, until Logan's division approached the road on the Confed- 
erates' left, between them and Vicksburg, when the foe wavered 
and began to break. This was a hard day's fight, for the rebels, 
finding that they had been beaten in three battles about Vicks- 
burg, had no doubt resolved to make a desperate stand against 
our conquering march ; but alas ! for them, this day's course of 
events was like the rest. When the fight was over, Generals 
Grant, McClernand, Sherman, McPherson and Logan rode over 
the victorious field, greeted with the wildest cheers. I wonder if 
they love their men as we love them. We received our mail an 
hour or two after the fight, and the fierce struggle through which 
we had just passed was forgotten as we read the news from home. 
Our fingers fresh from the field left powder marks on the white 
messengers that had come to cheer us. 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBUEG. 25 

Our forces captured eleven pieces of artillery and over one 
thousand prisoners. The retreating army will make another 
stand, but we shall move right on, undaunted. Several amusing 
incidents have occurred during the battle to.-day. Company 
A, of the 20th, was sent out to skirmish, and moved forward 
till they could see the enemy. By this time General Logan made 
his appearance, when one of the boys who wished to go into the 
fight without impediments, approached Logan and said, "General, 
shall we not unslmg knapsacks?" "No," was the stern reply, 
"damn them, you can whip them with your knapsacks on," 
This same company, in full view of a rebel battery, had taken 
refuge in a deep ditch, and when afterward the rebel captain cried 
out, "ready, take aim," Mit. Biyant, feeling secure in his position, 
interrupted the order with a shout, "shoot away and be damned 
to you," 

• We moved up through the woods to the road again after the 
fight, where we halted an hour. Near the road was a farm house 
wdiich was immediately taken possession of for a hospital. 

May 17th. — On the road to Yicksburg, resolved to capture the 
city or get badly whipped. We'have not known defeat since we left 
Fort Donelson, and we propose to keep our good record up. We 
have seen hard times on some hotly contested fields, but mean to 
have nothing but victory, if possible, on our banner. 

The advance of our army has made a grand sweep, pell-mell, 
over the rebel works at Big Black Kiver, routing the foe and cap- 
turing twenty-five hundred prisoners with twenty-nine cannon. 
Their rifle pits w^ere quite numerous, but they were all on low 
ground, so that when the word was given the Yankees rushed over 
them with the greatest ease. The rebs may be drawing us into 
a trap, but as yet we have not a moments' fear of the result, for 
when Grant tells us to go over a thing we go, and feel safe in go- 
ing. Even in time of peace we would not wish the great curtain 
that hides the future to be rolled away, nor do soldiers now ask 
to know what lies before them. But every day brings new scenes 
fraught with dangers, hair-breadth escapes or death, after which 
the ranks close and move on undaunted. And our love of 
country still grows as we go. 

We camped within a few miles of Black Paver, perfectly satis- 
fied, though we have had no hand in the slaughter to-day. We 
rather expected to be halted a few days at the river, where the 



26 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



enemy would surely be strongly fortified, and where, as they could 
certainly spare the greater part of their forces from Yicksburg, 
if they would but bring them out, they could make a desperate 
stand. We are now fighting hard for our gruh, since w^e have 
nothing left but flour, and slapjacks lie too heavy on a soldier's 




Too many Slapjacks cause a soldier to dream of a feast at home. 

stomach. But there is great consolation in reflecting that behind 
us Uncle Sam keeps piled a bountiful supply all ready to be 
issued as soon as we can find a proper halting place. 

May 18th.— The army last night made pontoons, on which this 
morning the Black Kiver has been crossed. McClernand is on 
tbe left, McPherson in the center, and Sherman on the right. In 
this position the three great corps will move to Yicksburg by 
different roads. We are nearing the doomed city, and are now on 
the lookout for fun. 

As we crossed the river and marched up the bank, a brass band 
stood playing national airs. 0, how proud we felt as we marched 
through the rebel works, and up to the muzzles of the abandoned 
guns that had been planted to stay our progress. Every man 
felt the combined Confederate army could not keep us out of 
Yicksburg. It was a grand sight, the long lines of infantry mov- 
ing over the pontoons, and winding their way up the bluffs, with 
flags flying in the breeze, and the morning sun glancing upon the 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



27 




Sherman's men inflating rubber pontoon on which to cross Big Black Rivei. 

guns as they lay across the shoulders of the boys. Cheer after 
cheer went up in welcome and triumph from the thousands who 
had already crossed and stood in waithig lines upon the bluff 
above. This is supposed to be the last halting place before we 
knock for admittance at our goal— the bo.isted Gibraltar of the 
west. 

Our division has made a long march to-day, and we have 
bivouaced for the night without supper, and with no prospect of 
breakfast, for our rations have been entirely exhausted. Mur- 
murings and complaints are loud and deep, and the swearing 
fully up to the army standard. General Leggett walked into our 
camp, and in his usual happy way inquired, "Well, boys, have 
you had your supper?" "No, General, we have not had any." 
"Well, boys, I have not had any either, and we shall probably 
have to fight for our breakfast." "Very well. General ; guess we 
can stand it as well as you," came the ready answer from a score 
of us, and resignation settled back upon the features of tired and 
hungry, but unsubdued, patriot soldiers. 

* "You may study the hopeful, bright hrows of these men. 
Who have marched all day over hill and through glen, 
Half clad and unfed; but who is it will dare 
Claim to tind on those faces one trace of despair?" 



May 19th. — This day beholds a cordon of steel, with rivets of 
brave hearts, surrounding Vicksbnrg. The enemy left their forti- 
fications on the first, twelfth, fourteenth, sixteenth and eighteenth 
of this month, and dealt their best blows to prevent the occurrence 



28 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 

of what we have just accompHshed — the surrounding of their well 
fortified city. We have now come here to compel them to sur- 
render, and we are prepared to do it either by charge or by siege, 
and they cannot say to us nay. Tbey have fought well to keep their 
homes free from invasion, and surely deserve praise for their 
brave return to battle after so many defeats. Our army encircles 
the city from the river above to the river below, a distance of 
seven and a half miles. 

The three corps have taken respective positions as follows : 
Sherman's Fifteenth occupies the right of the line, resting on the 
river above ; General McClernand's Thirteenth touches the river 
below, while McPherson's Seventeenth stands in the center. Our 
own division, commanded by Logan, occupies the road leading 
to Jackson. 

In taking our position we did a great deal of skirmishing, and 
I suppose the same difficulty was jDrobably experienced by the 
rest of the line. We have been nineteen days on the march 
around Yicksburg, and the time has been full of excitement — 
quite too varied for a comprehensive view just now, but those 
who have borne a part in it will store it all away in memory, to 
be gone over between comrades by piece-meal, when they meet 
after the war is over. 

The personal experience of even the humblest soldier will get 
a hearing in years to come, for it is the little things in an un- 
usual life that are most entertaining, and personal observations 
from the rank and file, narrated by those who saw what they de- 
scribe, will make some of the most instructive paragraphs of the 
war's history. 

This has been a day to try the nerves of the boys, while taking 
position in front to invest the doomed city. It has been a day to 
try men's souls, and hearts, too. The long lines of rebel earth- 
w^orks following the zig-zag courses of the hills, and black field 
guns still menacing from their port-holes, bristle with defiance 
to the invaders. 

Our regiment, the 20th Ohio, being ordered in position on 
the Jackson road, immediately passed to the left in front of 
Fort Hill, where it stood ready to charge at a moment's no- 
tice. Meanwhile Colonel Force cautiously made his way in front 
of the different companies and spoke familiarly to his men words 
of encouragement. Said he, "boys, I expect we shall be ordered 
to charge the fort. I shall run right at it, and I hope every man 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



29 



will follow me." At that instant a soldier of one of the com- 
panies on the left was found snugly hid in a ravine under the 
roots of a tree, and his lieutenant's attention being called to the 
fact, he was ordered out, when he replied, "lieutenant, I do not 
believe I am able to make such a charge." 




May 20th. — When I awoke this morning I offered thanks to 
God that my life had been spared thus far. We slept on our 
arms — something unusual. This day has been busily spent in 
making cautious advances toward the works of the enemy, and, 



30 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBUKG. 

although our progress seems to have been very httle, we are eon- 
tent to approach step by step, for the task is difficult and danger- 
ous. Bullets are flying over our heads, and it is quite common to 
see the boys trying to dodge them, A few have succeeded in 
stopping these bullets, but they had to leave at once for the hos- 
pital. A blanket displayed by its owner was called a map of 
the confederacy, on account of the holes in it made by bullets at 
Raymond and Champion Hills. It is good enough yet for warmth, 
but will not do to hold water. We are ragged and dirty, for we 
have had no change of clothes for over a month. But we have 
the promise of new suits soon. If we were to enter Vicksburg 
to-morrow, some of our nice young fellows would feel ashamed to 
march before the young ladies there. We can seethe court house 
in the city with a confederate flag floating over it. What fun it 
will be to take that down, and hoist in its stead the old stars and 
stripes. Then yonder is the Mississippi river again ; we want to 
jump into that once more and have a good bath. The hills back 
of Vicksburg, and in fact all round the city seem quite steep and 
barren, and to run in parallels, affording our troops good shelter 
from batteries and secret approaches. It is upon these hills 
opposite the town that our tents are pitched. W^e must cut back 
into the hills to escape the shower of bullets, for we like to 
feel secure, when asleep or off duty. A great many of the 
balls that come over are what are called "spent," that is, have 
not force enough kft to do any harm. We do not feel quite as 
safe awake or asleep as we did before we got so near the city. 
However, we manage to sleep pretty much unconcerned as to 
danger. Our regiment is detailed to watch at the rifle pits in 
front to-night. 

May 21&T. — We were relieved this morning before daylight, and 
slipped back to our camp as quietly as we could. The rifle pits 
where we watched were pretty close to the enemy, and we had to 
note every movement made by them. If they put their heads 
above their works we sent a hundred or more shots at them, and 
on the other hand, if any on our side made themselves too con- 
spicuous, they fired in turn. So each army is watching the other 
like eagles. We must be relieved while it is yet dar^, for if such 
a move were attempted by daylight, the enemy could get our 
range and drop many a man. 

The weather is getting very hot, but we do our best to keep 
cool whether out of battle or in it. It is fortunate for us that 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



31 



our work at the rifle pits occurs at night, when the air is much 
more cool and pleasant, and the services less fraught with danger. 
Last night quite a number of new pits Avere opened and gabions 
placed on them. Firing from behind these was attended with 
less danger. Gabions are a sort of wicker-work, resembling 
round baskets, filled with dirt. The rebel fort in our front was 
made by cutting away the back half of the hill, leaving the face 
towards us in a state of nature. This fort is supplied with large 
guns, but their owners can not use them, as our rifle pits occupy 
higher ground, from which we watch them too closely. 



May 22d. —Last night mortar-shells, fired from the boats on 
the river in front of the city across Point Louisiana, fell thick 
over all parts of Yicks- 
burg, and at three 
o'clock this morning 
every cannon along our 
line belched its shot at 
the enemy. Nothing 
could be heard at the 
time but the thunder- 
ing of great guns — one 
hundred cannons sent 
crashing into the town 
— parrot, shrapnell, 
cannister, grape and 
solid shot — until it 
seemed impossible that 
anything could with- 
stand such a fearful 
hailstorm. It was in- 
deed a terrible spec- 
tacle — awfully grand. 

At ten o'clock we had 
orders to advance. The 
boys were expecting the 
order and ivere busy 

T ,• ,1 1 » JVKitii ti m th( u\ 1 iiitiont Dixiins the siege 

aivestmg themselves ot <>f ^ k ksi.ui^ sixteen tiKui'^and shells won- thio^Mi 

,1 . . , trom the mortar sunboats, and naval batteries into 

watches, rings, pictures the city."— Hamersly. 

and other keepsakes, which were being placed in the custody of 
the cooks, who were not expected to go into action. I never saw 




32 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 

such a scene before, nor do I ever want to see it again. The in- 
structions left with the keepsakes were varied. For instance, 
"This watch I want you to send to my father if I never return" — 
"I am going to Vicksburg, and if I do not get back just send these 
little trifles home, will you?" — proper addresses for the sending of 
the articles being left with them. Not a bit of sadness or fear 
appears in the talk or faces of the boys, but they thought it timely 
and proper to dispose of what they had accordingly. This was 
done w^iile we awaited orders, which fit last came in earnest, and in 
obedience to them we moved up and took our place in the rifle pits 
within a hundred yards of Fort Hill, where we had orders to keep 
a diligent watch, and to fire at the first head that dared to show 
itself. • The air was so thick with the smoke of cannon that we 
could hardly see a hundred yards before us. The line to our 
right and left was completely hidden from view except as revealed 
by the flash of guns, and the occasional bursting of shells through 
the dense clouds. About eleven o'clock came a signal for the 
entire line to charge upon the works of the enemy. Our boys 
were all ready, and in an instant leaped forward to find victory 
or defeat. The seventh Missouri took the lead with ladders 
which they placed against the fort, and then gave way for others 
to scale them. Those who climbed to the top of the fort met 
cold steel, and, when at length it was found impossible to enter 
the fort that way, the command was given to fall back, which 
was done under a perfect hail of lead from the enemy. The 
rebels, in their excitement and haste to fire at our retreating 
force, thrust their heads a little too high above their cover, — an 
advantage we were quick to seize with well aimed volleys. In 
this charge a severe loss was met by our division, and nothing 
gained. What success was met by the rest of the line I can not 
say, but I hope it was better than ours. Thus ended another day 
of bloody fight in vain, except for an increase of the knowledge 
which has been steadily growing lately, that a regular siege will 
be required to take Vicksburg. This day will be eventful on the 
page of history, for its duties have been severe, and many a 
brave patriot bit the dust under the storm of deadly fire that 
assailed us. 

May 23d. — Our regiment lay in the rifle pits to-day, watching 
the enemy. For hours we were unable to see the motion of a 
man or beast on their side, all was so exceedingly quiet through- 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



83 



out the day. After dark we were relieved, and as we returned to 
the camp the enemy got range of us, and for a few minutes their 
bullets flew about us quite freely. However, we bent our 




How swift their fliglit: 

What strange wierd music do they niiiJce ; 
And then, at last. 

What curious forms these little minnies take. 






—3 



Minnie-ballb lircd at Vicksburg. 





34 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 

heads as low as we could and double-quicked to quarters. One 
shot flew very close to my head, and I could distinctly recognize 
the familiar zip and whiz of quite a number of others at a safer 
distance. The rebels seemed to fire without any definite direction. 
If our sharpshooters were not on the alert, the rebels could peep 
over their works and take good aim ; but as they were so closely 
watched they had to be content with random shooting. 

If this siege is to last a month there will be a whole army of 
trained sharpshooters, for the practice we are getting is making 
us skilled marksmen. I have gathered quite a collection of balls, 
which I mean to send home as relics of the siege. They are in a 
variety of shapes, and were a thousand brought together there 
could not be found two alike. I have picked up some that fell at 
my feet— others w^ere taken from trees. I am the only known 
collector of such souvenirs, and have many odd and rare speci- 
mens. Eebel bullets are very common about here now — too 
much so to be valuable ; and as a general thing the boys are 
■quite willing to let them lie where they drop. T think, however, 
should I survive, I would like to look at them again in after 
years. 

Shovel and pick are more in use to-day, which seems to be a 
sign that digging is to take the place of charging at the enemy. 
We think Grant's head is level, anyhow. The weather is getting 
hotter, and I fear sickness ; and water is growing scarce, which 
is very annoying. If we can but keep well, the future has no 
fears for us. 

May 24th. — Sunday ; and how little like the Sabbath day it 
seems. Cannon are still sending their messengers of death into 
the enemy's lines, as on week days, and the minnie balls sing the 
same song, while the shovel throws up as much dirt as on any 
other day. What a relief it would be if, by common consent, 
both armies should cease firing to-day. It is our regiment's turn 
to watch at the front, so before daylight we moved up and took 
our position. We placed our muskets across the rifle pits, point- 
ing towards the fort, and then lay down and ran our eyes over 
the gun, with finger on trigger, ready to fire at anything we might 
see moving. For hours not a movement was seen, till finally an 
old half-starved mule meandered too close to our lines, when off 
went a hundred or more muskets, and down fell the poor mule. 
This little incident, for a few minutes, broke the monotony. A 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



35 



coat and hat were elevated on a stick above our rifle pits, and in 
an instant they were riddled with bullets from the 
enemy. The rebels were a little excited at the ruse, 
and probably thought, after their firing, there 
must be one less Yankee in our camp. In their 
eagerness a few of them raised their heads a 
little above their breastworks, when a hundred 
bullets flew at them from our side. They all 
dropped instantly, and we could not tell whether 
they were hit or not. The rebels, as well as our- 
selves, occasionally hold up a hat by way of di- 
version. A shell from an enemy's gun dropped 
into our camp rather unexpectedly, and bursted 
near a group, wounding several, but only slightly, 
though the doctor thinks one of the wounded will 
not be able to sit down comfortably for a few days. 
I suppose, then, he can go on picket, or walk 
around and enjoy the country. 



May '25th.— Pemberton sent a flag of truce to 
Grant at two P. M., and the cessation of hostili- 
ties thus agreed on, lasted till eight o'clock in 
the evening. It made us happy, for we fancied 
it was a sign they wanted to surrender — but no 
such good luck. It was simply to give both 
sides a chance to bury their dead, which had been 
lying exposed since the twenty-second. Both 
armies issued from their respective fortifications 
and pits, and mingled together in various sports, 
apparently with much enjoyment. Here a group 
of four played cards — two Yanks and two Eebs. 
There, others were jumping, while everywhere 
blue and gray mingled in conversation over the 



Vice. 



Eifle -Musket and Apt'Cndages. 



Funch, 



Ball- 
screvv, 



Screw- 
driver. 



Wiper. 



36 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



scenes which had transpired since our visit to the neighborhood. 
I talked with a very sensible rel)el, who said he was sitisded we 
should not only take Vicksburg, but drive the forces of the south 
all over their territory, at last compelling them to surrender ; 



i ( I II' 




THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 37 

still, he said, he had gone into the fight, and was resolved not to 
hack oat. He said they had great hope of dissension in the north, 
to such an extent as might strengthen their cause. There have 
been grounds for this hope, 1 am sorry to say, and such dissen- 
sions at the north must prolong the war, if our peace party should 
succeed in materially obstructing the war measures of govern- 
ment. From the remarks of some of the rebels, I judged that 
their supply of provisions was getting low, and that they had no 
source from which to draw more. We gave them from our own 
rations some fat meat, crackers, coffee and so forth, in order to 
make them as happy as we could. We could see plainly that 
their officers watched our communications closely. 

May 26rH. — Up this morning at three o'clock, with orders for 
three days' rations in our haversacks and five days' in the wagons 
— also to be ready to move at ten o'clock to the rear, in pursuit 
of Johnston, who was thrusting his bayonets too close to our boys 
there. 

I am not anxious to get away from the front, yet a little march- 
ing in the country will be quite a desirable change, and no doubt 
beneficial to our men. I have been afraid we might be molested 
in the rear, for we were having our own way too smoothly to last. 
I think the confederate authorities are making a great mistake 
in not massing a powerful army in our rear and thus attempting 
to break our lines and raise the siege. We shall attend to John- 
ston, for Grant has planted his line so firmly that he can spare 
half his men to look out for his rear. What a change we notice 
to-day, from the time spent around the city, where there was no 
sound except from the zipping bullets and booming cannon ; 
while out here in the country the birds sing as sweetly as if they 
had not heard of war at all. Here, too, we get an exchange from 
the smoky atmosphere around Yicksburg, to heaven's purest 
breezes. 

We have marched to-day over the same ground for which we 
fought to gain our position near the city. Under these large 
spreading oaks rest the noble dead who fell so lately for their 
country. This march has been a surprise to me. It is midnight, 
and we are still marching. 

May 27th. — It was three o'clock this morning before we camp- 
ed. A tiresome tramp we have had, and after halting, l)ut a few 



38 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 

minutes elapsed before we were fast asleep. We were up, 
however, with the sun, took breakfast and were on the march 
again at eight o'clock. We halted two hours at noon, during 
which time we had dinner and rest. Camped again in the even- 
ing without having come in contact with the enemy. We do not 
know where Johnston is, but shall find him if he is in the neigh- 
borhood. This excursion party is composed of six regiments, and 
should we meet Johnston, and his force prove to be the largest, 
we shall have to fight hard, for we are now some distance from re- 
inforcements. The health of our boys, however, is good — although 
one of them comj)lains of icorms — in his crackers. A change 
from city to country life seems generally acceptable — and yet as 
it was, our residence was only suburban. 

May 28th. — We did not strike out on the war-path again till 
three P. M. to-day, having spent the time previous in taking a 
good rest. To-day we have not marched very rapidly, as it has 
now become necessary to go more slowly in order to feel our way, 
since we cannot tell what obstacle we may encounter. All the 
natives we meet along the road claim that Johnston is going to 
raise the siege. If so, it will prove about the biggest "raising" 
he ever attended. Camped again about dark. 

May 29th. — "The early bird catches the worm." We tried the 
truth of that adage this morning, but failed to make the catch. 
A few graybacks were seen afar off, but we failed to get within 
range of them. Where, where, is General Johnston and the 
grand army he was to bring against us ? We have looked for him 
in vain. I have the utmost confidence in Grant's judgment and 
the prestige of his army which has never yet known defeat, but 
I confess, till now, I have been afraid of some attack in our rear. 
And why such a thing does not occur is a mystery to me— at 
least an attempt at it. Day by day Grant is intrenching and 
pushing nearer to the enemy's works, planting heavy guns and 
receiving fresh troops, so the opportunity for a saving stroke by 
the enemy is fast disappearing. 

Camped again at dark, within two miles of Mechanicsville, 
through which we passed, finding all quiet after our cavalry had 
driven a few rebs beyond the town. 

May 30th. — Moved this morning at four o'clock back again to- 
wards Vicksburg — rather an early start, unless some special 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 39 

business awaits us. A few surmise that there is need for us at the 
front, but I think it is only a freak of General Frank Blair, who 
is in command of our excursion party. The day has been hot, 
and we have been rushed forward as though the salvation of the 
Union depended upon our forced march. I am not a constitutional 
grumbler, but I fail to understand why we have been trotted 
through this sultry Yazoo bottom where pure air seems to be a 
stranger. Probably our commander wants to get us out of it as 
soon as posible. A few of the men have been oppressed with 
the heat, and good water is very scarce. This seems to be a very 
rich soil, made up no doubt of river deposits. A ridge runs 
parallel with the river, and it is on that elevation all the planta- 
tion buildings are located, overlooking the rich country around. 
The Yazoo river is a very sluggish stream and said to be quite 
deep. The darkies claim it is "dun full of cat-fish." I think we 
may probably have fresh, fish, but not till we catcJi Vicksburg, and 
then only in case we are allowed to take a rest, for I presume 
there will then turn up some other stronghold for Grant and his 
army to take, and for which we shall have to be off as soon as 
this job is ended. We camped at dark, after a severe and long 
march, and it is now raining, very hard. 

May 31st.- — We were aroused by the bugle call, and in a few 
minutes on the march again. Halted at noon on a large planta- 
tion. This is a capital place to stop, for the negroes are quite 
busy baking corn-bread and sweet potatoes for us. We have had 
a grand dinner at the expense of a rich planter now serving in 
the southern army. Some of the negroes wanted to come with 
us, but we persuaded them to remain, telling them they would see 
hard times if they followed us. They showed indications of good 
treatment, and I presume their master is one of the few who 
treat their slaves like human beings. 

I must say — whether right or wrong — plantation life has had a 
sort of fascination for me ever since I came south, especially 
when I visit one like that where we took dinner to-day, and some, 
also, I visited in Tennessee. I know I should treat my slaves 
well, and, while giving them a good living, 1 should buy, but 
never sell. 

We left at three o'clock P. M., and just as the boys were ordered 
to take with them some of the mules working in the field, where 
there was a large crop being cultivated, to be used, when 



40 ' THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 

I 

gathered, for the maintenance of our enemies. As our boys, ac- 
cordingly, were unhitching the mules, some "dutchy" in an officer's 
uniform rode up, yelling, "mens ! you left dem schackasses alone !" 
I doubt whether he had authority to give such an order, but 
whether he had or not he was not obeyed. When we marched off 
with our corn-bread and "schackasses," some of the darkies insist- 
ed on following. We passed through some rebel works at Haines' 
Bluffs, which were built to protect the approach to Yicksburg by 
way of the Yazoo river. Sherman had taken them on the nine- 
teenth instant, Avhen our boais came up the river and delivered 
rations. 

May has now passed, with all its hardships and privations to 
the army of the west — the absence of camp comforts ; open 
fields for dwelling places; the bare ground for beds; cartridge 
boxes for pillows, and all the other tribulations of an active 
campaign. Enduring these troubles, we have given our 
country willing service. We have passed through some hard- 
fought battles, where many of our comrades fell, now suffering 
in hospitals or sleeping, perhaps, in unmarked graves. Well they 
did their part, and much do we miss them. Their noble deeds 
shall still incite our emulation, that their proud record may not 
be sullied by any act of ours. 

Camped at dark, tired, dirty and ragged — having had no 
chance to draw clothes for two months. 

June 1st. — We stayed in camp all day, much to the enjoyment 
of the boys. Sergeant Hoover and I got a horse and mule, and 
rode down to Chickasaw Bayou, where the supplies for our army 
around Yicksburg are received. I have complained a little of 
being overmarched, but the trotting of my mule to-day w^as the 
hardest exercise I have had for some time. 

If our poor foes in Yicksburg could see our piles of provisions 
on the river landing, they might hunger for defeat. Around 
Yicksburg the country is quite hilly and broken, with narrow 
ridges, between which are deap ravine >. These ridges are occu- 
pied by the opposing forces at irregular distances. At some 
points the lines of the Union and Confederate armies are but 
fifty yards apart. 

June 2d. — We stayed in camp again all day, and I improved 
the time strolling through the camps, forts and rifle pits, w4iieh 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBUEG. 



41 




had been deserted by the Coiitedeiatts. iliL> seem to have left 
their quarters rather unceremoniously, for they abandoned siege 
guns, with tents, wagons, clothing and ammunitirn scattered 
about in confusion. I thought, while camped here, they seemed 
to feel quite secure. They frequently looked towards the Yazoo, 
and defied our boats to come up. However, when the boats 
did come, with Sherman in the rear, they beat a hasty retreat to 
the inside of Vicksburg. 



42 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



As our duties have been 
light to-day, the time has 
been occupied socially, by the 
boys reciting many little scenes 
of the past month. We con- 
versed feelingly of those 
left behind on acount of sick- 
ness, or wounds, or death in 
battle. Only half our com- 
pany is left now, and after 
two years more, what will have 
become of the rest ? We shall 
fight on, perhaps, till the other 
half is gone. The friendship 
that now exists among our 
remnant is very firmly knit. 
Through our past two years 
of soldier life such ties of 
brotherhood have grown up 
as only companions in arms 
can know. And I trust before 
the end of another two years 
the old flag will again float 
secure in every State in the 
Nation. 

June 3d.— Expected to move 
to-day, but got orders instead 
to remain in camp. Have 
heard heavy cannonading to- 
wards Yicksburg. Would pre- 
fer to take our place in the line 
around the city rather than 
stay away, for there is glory 
in action. It may be very nice, 
occasionally, to rest in camp, 
but to hear firing and to snuff 
the battle afar off", creates a 
natural uneasiness. Besides, 
if the city should surrender 
in the menntime, we might.be 




THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



43 



cheated ont of our share in a prize, to the taking of which we 
have contributed sjDme vahiable assistance. 

Newsboys are 
thick in camp, 
with the f amihar 
cries, "Chicago 
Times" and 
"Cincinnati 
Commercial." 
The papers sell 
quite freely. At 
home each man 
wants to buy a 
paper for him- 
self, but here a 
single copy does 
for a whole com- 
pany, and the 
one that buys it 
reads it aloud — 
a plan whicl, 
suits the buyer 
very well, if not 
the seller. While 
some of these 
papers applaud 

the bravery of 

the generals and their commands, and pray that the brilliancy 
of past achievements be not dimmed by dissensions in the face of 
the enemy, other papers have articles that sound to us like 
treason, slandering the soldier and denouncing the government. 
But they can not discourage or demoralize this army, for it was 
never stronger or more determined than now, and it will continue 
to strike for our country, even though bleeding at every pore. 
The rebels can not be subdued, so tliey say. Why not? In two 
years have we not penetrated to the very center of the South ? And 
in less than that time we shall be seen coming out, covered all 
over with victory, from the other side. 

Juke 4th.— We move at last. We left camp as the sun rose, 
reaching our old quarters in front of the rebel Fort Hill in the 




44 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 

afternoon. Glad we are to get here. A great change has taken 
place durmg our ten days' absence. More rifle-pits have been 
made and new batteries erected, and our lines generally haVe 
been pushed closer to the works of the enemy. Mines are being 
dug, and we shall soon see something flying in the air in front of 
us, when those mines explode. The work is being done very 
secretly, for it would not do to have the rebels find out our plans. 
Fort Hill in our front and on the Jackson road is said to be the 
key to Vicksburg. We have tried often to turn this key, but have 
as often failed. In fact, the lock is not an easy one. The under- 
ground work now going on will perhaps break the lock with an 
explosion. Our return to camp from our excursion after John- 
ston creates some excitement among those who stayed behind. 
Tliey all want to hear about our trip, and wUat we saw and 
conquered. Our clothes are so dirty and ragged, that though we 
have sewed and patched, and patched and sewed, Uncle Sam 
would hardly recognize those nice blue suits he gave us a little 
while ago. This southern sun pours down a powerful heat, which 
compels us to keep as quiet as possible. Just a month from to- 
day we celebrate our Fourth of July — where, I do not know, but 
inside of Yicksburg, I hope. 

I have asked both officers and men to write in an album I have 
opened since reaching our old post near the city, and here are a 
few of their contributions : 

" Frioid O.: Here is hoping we may see the stars and stripes 
float over the court house in Yicksburg on the Fourth of July, 
and also that we may see this rebellion, in which so many of our 
comrades have fallen, come to an end, while we live on to enjoy 
a peace secured by our arms. Then hurrah for the Buckeye 
girls. Your sincere friend, 

"Henry H. Fulton, 
" Company E, 20th Ohio." 

" Here is hoping we may have the pleasure of zirciglass of lager 

in Yicksburg, on July 4th. 

"D. M. Cooper, 

" Company A, 96th Ohio." 

" I hope we shall be able to spend the coming Fourth in the 
famous city before us, and to have a glorification there over our 
victories. 

" Squire McKee, 
" Company E, '20th Ohio." 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. \ 45 

" Here is hoping that by the glorious Fourth, and by the force 
of our arms, we shall penetrate their boasted Gibraltar. 

" T. B. Leggett, 
" Company E, 20th Ohio." 

" I offer you this taast : Though you have seen many hard- 
ships, let me congratulate you on arriving safely so near Vicks- 
burg. May the besieged city fall in time for you and all our boys 
to take a glass of lager on the Fourth of July ; and may the boys 
of the Twentieth be the first to taste the article they have duly won. 

" D. B. LiNSTEAD, 

" Company G, 20th Ohio." 

June 5th. — The siege is still progressing favorably. There is 
joy in our camp, for Uncle Sam has again opened a clothing 
store, which we shall patronize, asking nothmg about price or 
quality. The boys cheered lustily when they saw the teams drive 
in, and heard what they were loaded with. However, I don't 
want to hug rifle-pits with a brand new suit on, for it would soon 
get dirty. 




Parrott ItiHe. 

June 6th.— Still banging away. I took a horseback ride around 
the line to the left in the rear of McClernand's corps. Every- 
where I went I was met with the familiar zip, zip, of rebel bullets 
flying promiscuously through the air. I read a northern rebel 
paper, received by a member of the 96th Ohio, filled with false 
statements about the soldiers around Vicksburg. It said a great 
many of Grant's soldiers were deserting. This is of course false, 
for I have heard of but two deserting their flag in time of need. 
Those two will never be able to look their old comrades in the 
face, for if they escape the penalty of death, disgrace and 
ignominy will not only follow them through life, but stamp their 
memories and lineage with infamy. The scorn of every loyal 
soldier will follow these cowards who have deserted in the face of 
the foe. No true-hearted mother or father can welcome the return 
of such recreants, who not only disgrace themselves but all their 
kindred. This paper also stated that the soldiers around Vicks- 
burg are dying off like flies. This is another falsehood, for the 



46 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 

army is in good health and spirits, and looking forward to 
victory with assurance, 

June 7th.— The 20th was at the front all day, sharp shooting. 
There is a good deal of danger in this kind of husiness, but we 
have our fun at it notwithstanding. Another effigy hoisted a 
little above our rifle-pits, in an instant drew the fire of the enemy. 
It was our ruse to get them to raise their heads a little, and when 
they did, we fired back, and the result generally justified the 
refrain to which our thoughts w^ere moving, 

Should a rebel show his pate, 
To withdraw he'll prove too late. 

We have caught them that way several times. 

We still keep unshaken confidence in General Grant, and the 
ultimate success of our cause. We shall stand firm at our posts, 
yielding cheerful obedience to all orders, and march bravely on 
without halting to wrangle and grumble at every imaginary short- 
coming in our officers, while our country is in such distress, and 
when her cries are borne to us upon every breeze. To be in 
Grant's army, McPherson's corps, Logan's division and the 20th 
Ohio, commanded by our brave and courteous colonel, M, F. 
Force, is to be as well off as any soldier in any army in the 
world, 

June 8th. — Another day born in the midst of the rattle of shot 
and shell. Each day finds us more firmly entrenched amid these 
hills, until we begin to feel ourselves impregnable. 

I visited one of the teeming hospitals to see some boys, and it 
made me sad enough to look upon some who will soon pass from 
these scenes of strife. One smooth-cheeJied little artillery lad 
closed his eyes forever, with a last lingering look upon the flag he 
had hoped to see waving over Yicksburg. His last look was at 
the flag — his last word was " mother ! " Poor boy, when he left 
home he knew little of the hardships and privations to be endured. 
War is quite another thing from what my schooldays pictured it, 
I used to think the two contending armies would march face to 
face and fire at each other, column by column, but experience has 
shown me a very difierent picture, for when the command to fire 
is given it is often when each man must fire at will, taking shelter 
where he can, without going too far from his line. 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBUKG. 



47 




Digging a mine under Fort Hill, with a cotton car as iiroteetion from 
the enemy's bullets. 



June 9th. — To-day our regiment was at the front. The rebels 
kept pretty quiet ; they are learning to behave very well. In fact 
they might as well lie low and save their powder. 

Our men have been employed digging a ditch leading up to Fort 
Hill, when they intend tunneling and blowing up the fort. The 
rebels, however', have got range of the men digging, and bave 
fired upon theru. The answering Yankee trick was to shove a car 
of cotton bale?, over the trench toward the fort, while the men 
worked behin d it. This served a good purpose for awhile, till 
the rebs ma.naged to set it on fire; not to be out-done, our boys 
pushed forvs^ard another car well soaked with water. Another 
Yankee frj^/dce was contrived — a tower, ten or twelve feet high, 
with ste « inside running to the top, where was hung a looking- 
glass in a*ich a position as to catch and reflect, to a man inside 
the towja'', the interior of the enemy's fort and rifle pits, and thus 
every rfan and gun could be counted. This latter contrivance, 



48 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 




THE SIEGE OF VICKSBUKG. 



49 




however, did not last long ; it became too conspicuous and dan- 
gerous for use. 

A report creeps into camp that 
Johnston is coming with fifty- 
thousand men to raise the siege, 
but I do not believe it. We have 
often heard that Eichmond had 
fallen, but it continues within 
the confederate lines. If the 
army of the Potomac does not 
soon take it, Grant will march 
us there and seize the prize from 
them. *;.....,:;,:;::;■■:'■ -r-'lv"^ 

TlM'A'aiikr'''"T!M,,kT^ty 

June 10th. — The heat of the sun increases, and we must im- 
prove our quarters. Accordingly a part of the day has been spent 
in cutting cane and building bunks with it on the side of the hill. 
Such improvements protect us better from the sun. 

Last night I sat on the top of a hill awhile, watching the mor- 
tar shells flying into the city from the river. High into the air 
they leaped, and, like, falling stars, dropped, exploding amongthe 
houses and shaking even the very hills. The lighted fuse of each 
shell could be seen as it went up and came down, and occasionally 
I have seen as many as three of them in the air at once. The 
fuse is so gauged as to explode the shell within a few feet of 
the ground. The destruction being thus wroaght in the city 
must be very great. We learn from prisoners that the inhabi- 
tants are now living in caves dug out of the sides of the hills. 
Alas ! for the women, children and aged in the city, for they must 
suffer, indeed, and, should the siege continue several months, 
many deaths from sickness as well as from our shells, must 
occur. I am sure Grant has given Pemberton a chance to remove 
from Vicksburg all who could not be expected to take part in the 
fearful struggle. 

We have been looking for rain to cool the air and lay the dust, 
and this afternoon we were gratified by a heavy shower. 

June 11th. — Stayed in camp to-day with the exception of about 
an hour. The rebs have succeeded in planting a mortar, which 
has sent a few big shells into our quarters. This sort of practice 
did not last long, for a hundred guns around our line soon roared 
the mortar to silence. But one shell dropped near my tent, 
—4 



50 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBUEG. 



buried itself in tlie earth, and exploded, scattering dirt for yards 
around and leaving a hole big enough to bury a horse. Another 
fell on top of the hill and rolled down, crashing through a tent. 
The occupants not being at home it failed to find a welcome. 

These shells are vis- 
itors we do not care to 
see in camp, for their 
movements are so clumsy 
they are apt to break 
things as they go. How- 
ever, they are rather rare, 
while the bullets are so 
frequent that we have al- 
most ceased to notice 
them. Their flights re- 
mind us of the dropping 
of leaves and twigs from 
the trees around us. The 
balls of lead as they fall 
are found bent and flat- 
tened in every conceiva- 
ble shape. A friend 
from the 96th Ohio, on a visit to me, as he walked over, met a 
rebel bullet which took a piece out of his arm. 

June 12th. — We expect to be paid off soon, as the pay-rolls are 
now being made out. Money cannot do us much good here 
among the hills, but we can send it home. Many a family is 
dependent upon the thirteen dollars a month drawn here by the 
head of it. 

When the war is over, how many soldiers will be unable to earn 
even their own living, to say nothing of that of their families, all on 
account of wounds or disability incurred in the service. I have 
heard many a one say he would rather be shot dead in a fight 
than lose a limb, and thus be compelled to totter through life dis- 
abled. But I know our country will be too magnanimous to neg- 
lect its brave defenders who have fought its battles till they have 
become incapacitated for further service. I know we are not 
fighting for a country that will let its soldiers beg for a living. 

We have now but a year left of the term of our enlistment, and 
the boys are already talking about what they will do. Some say 
they will stay till peace comes, no matter how long may be the 




Tout. 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



51 



delay, and I think the majority are of this mind. A few, however, 
will seek their homes when their time runs out, should this war 
last so long, and the Lord and rebel bullets spare them. For my- 
self, I shall stay, if I can. till the stars and stripes float in triumph 
once more over all the land. 
Here are a few lines : 

TO COMPANY E. 

You started at your country's call ' 

To tread the fields of blood and strife, 
Consenting to give up your all- 
All, even to your very life. 
And many storms of leaden rain 

And iron hail have been your lot; 
While yet among the number slain 

The dear ones North have read you not. 
Oh, may you safely yet return 

To those who wait your coming, too; 
May their fond hearts not vainly yearn 

To greet you when the war is through. 
But, though I wish you back in peace, 

' Tis not a peace that quite disarms— 
'Tis not a full and sure release. 

You simply take up other arms. 

June 13th. — The siege continues with increased fury, and the 
boom of cannon announces the sacrifice of more lives. Instead 
of any cessation the artillery plays upon the city almost every 
moment throughout the day. The variety of the projectiles be- 
comes greater. The shrapnel, I think, must be most formidable 




Shkapnel.— Containing 80 musket balls, fired at Vicksburg. The conception of 
this missile is due to Lieut. Gen'l Henry Shrapnel, of the English army. Its 
velocity IS about 1,000 feet per second. 

to the enemy. It is a shell filled with eighty small balls, which, 
when the shell is exploded, scatter in every direction. It makes 
a fearful buzzing sound as it Hies — a warning to seek cover, if such 
can be found- Besides this there are the parrot, cannister, grape 

and solid shot. The cannister and 
grape are also cases wherein are 
enclosed a number of small balls. 
But the least fragment from an ex- 
ploded shell is sufficient to wound 
or kill. 




Parrot rifle projectile. 



52 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBUEG. 



I have a great curiosity to see the court house at Vicksburg. 
It stands on a hill, and seems to be the target for many cannon. 

There is a Confederate flag wav- 
ing from it defiantly. A proud 
day it will be when we haul it 
down and raise in its stead the 
stars and stripes, never to be dis- 
placed again. The buildings in 
the city must, by tbis time, be 
pretty well riddled with shot and 
shell. The women, it seems, did 
not all leave the city before the 
bombardment began, and I sup- 
jDOse they have determined to 
brave it out. Their sacrifices and 
privations aie worthy of a better 




a tin cylinder 



with 



Cannister shot i 
iron heads, filled with balls packed 
with saw-dust. The heads are mo^ a- 
ble, and the edges of the tin are 

ln"Sce!^^^'^Tgri3i'liri?e'°m'aclSTf cause, and Were they but on our 

such a size that seven of them can 
lie in a bed, one in the middle and 
six around. These balls are made of 
cast iron, and are 2S in number. 




Solid Shot strapped on a Sabot. 



side how we would worship them. 
It is rumored in camp that Grant 
is getting reinforcements from the 
eastern army. I have a great 
desire to see them, for while we 
have always thought them to be 
no less brave, they are said to be 
better clothed and equipped than 
the western boys. In fact, from 
the eastern army, during the last 
year, the standing report among 
western boys has been merely such 
catch phrases as " Bull Eun, " 
"Burnside Crossing the Rappahan- 
nock," "All Quiet on the Poto- 
mac." Perhaps such reports or 
their substance will continue to 
fill the headlines of news from 
those departments until Lincoln 
commissions Grant commander of 
the whole army. Should that oc- 
cur, one grand move forward will 
be made and the Southern confed- 
eracy will be crushed forever. 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 53 

We are doing all we can to expedite the glorious victory 
awaiting us here, yet there are grumblers in the North who are 
complaining of our slow progress, and treasonable articles are 
published in some papers that come to us from the North, in- 
tended to discourage the soldiers. Why don't Grant move ? If 
we had all those grumblers in Vicksburg, I fancy they would soon 
find something from Grant was moving quite briskly. But Grant 
does not idle away his time himself, nor let his men be idle. If 
the people of the North will but back us up with their aid and 
confidence, we shall feel well repaid for all the sufferings we en- 
dure here, staring death in the face, and standing like a solid wall 
between their homes and danger. 

Let not a murnnir meet the ear, 

Nor discontent have sway; 
Let not a sullen brow appear 

Through all the camp to-day. 

June 14th. — Sunday. No bells to ring us to church. I wish 
we had one day in seven for rest and freedom from care ; but 
there is no such thing now for the soldier. It is shoot, shoot, 
dodge, dodge, from morning to night, without cessation, except 
when we are asleep. When the time comes, we can lie down and 
sleep soundly all night, right under our cannon, firing over us all 
the time, without disturbing us in the least. But let the long roll 
be sounded — every man is up at the first tap — ^for that sound we 
know means business for us. 

Occasionally the rebs plant a mortar in some out of the way 
spot and drop a shell or two into our midst ; but a few well 
directed shots from our big guns at the rear soon settle them. 
These rebels obey very well. 

We have several large siege guns, lately planted in the rear of 
our division, which it took ten yoke of oxen to haul, one at a 
time, to their places. I had been told that the balls from these 
guns could be seen on their journey, and could not believe it 
until I put myself in range of the monsters, just behind them, 
when I found I could see the balls distinctly, as they flew across 
the hills towards Vicksburg. These guns are nine-inch calibre 
and they are about twelve feet long. They are monsters, and 
their voices are very loud. 

Sunday is general inspection day, and the officers passed 
through our quarters at 10 a. m., finding our guns and accoutre- 
ments bright and clean. If any young lady at the North needs 



54 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBUKG. 

a good housekeeper, she can easily be accommodated by making 
a requisition on the '20th Ohio. In fact we can all do patchwork, 
sew on buttons, make beds and sweep ; but I do not think many 
of us will follow the business after the war is done, for the " re- 
lief " always so anxiously looked for by the soldiers must then 
come. 

I heard one of our boys — a high private in the rear rank — la- 
ment that he was 

" Only a private, and who will care 
When I shall pass away?" 

Poor lad, he was in a sad way ! But it was mere homesickness 
that ailed him. If dissatisfied with his position as a private, let 
him wait, for if he survives the war, he will, no doubt, have a 
chance to be captain of an infant-ry company. 

June 15th. — Our regiment went into the rifle-pits again before 
daylight, at which time the din of musketry and cannonading from 
both sides had begun, and will cease only when darkness covers 
the earth. 

We are now so close to Fort Hill that a hard tack was tossed 
into it by one of our boys, and then held up on a bayonet there, 
to satisfy us of its safe arrival. Some of the boys have become 
reckless about the rifle-pits, and are frequently hit by rebel bul- 
lets. Familiarity breeds a contempt of danger. 

Some of the boys wounded at Raymond have got back to us, 
and are now ready again to do their part. They are, however, 
more timid than we who have been at the front so long. It is fun 
to see these new-comers dodge the balls as they zip along. But 
they, too, will soon become accustomed to flying lead. 

Several of the boys have been hit, but not hurt badly, as the 
balls were pretty nearly spent before reaching them. Those re- 
turning from Raymond say they have marked the graves there, 
but I fear it will not be long before the last vestige of the resting 
places of our late comrades will be lost. 

June 16th. — We were relieved before daylight, and returned to 
camp pretty tired. I did not feel well last night, and having had 
no chance to sleep, I am a little the worse for wear this morning. 

There was not much firing done during the night, but we had 
to keep a good lookout, as there are apprehensions of an out- 
break. I do not often go star-gazing, but last night I sat and 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



55 



watched the beauty above. Daytime is glorious, but when night 
unfurls her banner over care-worn thousands among these hills, 
and the stars come out from their hiding places, our thoughts 
seek loftier levels. It was just as though one day had died, and 
another was born to take its place. Not a breeze stirred the foli- 
age, except as fanned by the whirling shells. My thoughts were 
of home, and of the dear sister there, bedridden, with but little 
hope of health again. Her dearest wish, I know, is to see her 
only brother once more before she passes away to that heavenly 
peace for which she is destined. Through these terrible two 
years past, thoughts of home and a safe return to an unbroken 
family circle, have been my constant guiding star. 



*SCHENKLE'S PROJECTILE. JuNE 17th. — I was detailed 

to the charge of a squad of 
men to guard rebel prisoners 
in the corral at Logan's head- 
quarters. They were not hard 
to guard, for they think them- 
selves in pretty good hands, 
and surely they seem to get 
better grub here than in their 
own lines. Some of them are 
deserters, and upon such Hook 
with contempt. I am ready 
to share my rations with an 
honest prisoner, but have no 
No. 1. No. 2. use for a man who enlists in 

a cause, and then deserts his comrades when they get into a tight 

place. 

If what they say is true, the garrison over there is already 
familiar with mule meat and scanty meal rations. If they have 
had to eat mules such as we have killed in the trenches, I pity 
them, for they are on a tough job. Several cows which I suppose 
had served families there with milk, we had to kill for browsing 
too close to our lines. 




"This projectile, as shown in No. 1, is composed of a cast-iron body. The ex- 
panding portion is a papier-mache wad, whicii being forced on to the cone, is ex- 
panded into the rifling of the bore. On issuing from the bore, the wad is blown to 
pieces, leaving the projectile entirely unincumbered in its flight through the air 
(No. 2.) 



56 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



I am pretty well convinced Pemberton would not hold out much 
longer but for the help he expects from Johnston. If that, how- 
ever, is all the hope they have, they might as well surrender at 
once, for if Johnston should come, he can not do them any good. 

A ball struck a little drummer boy a while ago, and he limped 
off, whimpering: "I wouldn't care a darn, but my other leg has 
been shot already." Some of the boys went to his assistance, 
and then they had to hurry towards the hospital, for the rebels 
got range of them and began firing quite briskly. 

I was quite amused to see one of the prisoners brought in to- 
day, eating his supper. We gave him all he could eat, and that 
was no small amount. But he was certainly a very hungry man, 
and if he is a fair sample of those remaining in Vicksburg, 
Uncle Sam's commissary will have to endure quite a burden, for 
after the surrender, no doubt, Grant will have to feed them all. 




James shell, before the applica- 
tion of the packing. 



June 18th. — I was relieved from 
guard at 9 a. m. and returned to camp. 
There has been very heavy firing all 
day, and it is rumored that Pember- 
ton will try to break through our 
lines; but if he tries that game he 
will find it dangerous enough. It is 
no easy matter lo climb over the 
bulwark of steel now encircling this 
city. 

The weather is getting altogether 
too hot for comfort. A few sun- 
strokes have occurred, but without 
proving fatal so far. One poor fellow 
even dropped at midnight, when I 

•^'ISfofthe pllckhis'^'ready'for presume the surgeon's diagnosis must 
"'"^- have been — moonstruck. There are 

more ways than one of shirking a battle, for which purpose some 

are even \\ illing to part with a finger or toe. 

If the rebels are short of provisions, their ammunition seems 
to hold out, for they are quite liberal in their distribution of 
it. But when Sherman begins firing from the east, McCler- 
nand from the west, McPherson from the rear, and the mor- 
tars from the north, then look out for big fire- works. The 




THE SIEGE OF VICKSBUP.G. 



57 




Aimiug at the Court House, 

cannon are all pointed towards the town, but some of the shells 
fall far short of it. When these burst in mid-air, we can see a 
small round cloud of smoke left behind, and then there is a sharp 

;^T,^^rTTT;,:;., . ;;; ™ lookout for fragments 

to be scattered in every 
direction. Our artil- 
lerymen have had 
such good practice 
during the siege, that 
they can generally 
drop a shell wherever 
they want to. 

Boys at the front 
have time for sport, 
which is not to be in- 
terrupted even by 

A game ol euchre, with a shell tor trumps. stray shells. 1 no- 

ticed four of our boys playing euchre, when a shell from the 




58 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



enemy came careering just above their heads ; but they treated 
it with entire indifference. Another group I saw playing "seven- 
up "' under a blanket caught at the four corners in the hammers 
of muskets stuck in the ground, and thereby forming a very good 
shelter from the sun, A shell burst right over this group, scat- 
tering its fragments all around, but even this failed to disturb 
the game, further than to call forth the timely comment, "Johnny 
passes." 




June 19th. — For a month we have been watclhng our enemy 
vigilantly, and a panorama, consisting of a great variety of war 
scenes, has, during that time, passed before us. We have had 
charging, digging rilie-pits, blowing up forts and tiring all sizes 
of cannon, to saynothingof percussion shells, spherical case shot, 
time shells, parrot, grape, cannister, 
shrapnel, etc., the memory of which will 
be vivid to all, both blue and gray, who 

have seen the show around Vicksburg. wiiitworth Projectile. 
The teriible noises, too, that have rung in our ears, must echo 
for years to come. I may add our endurance of this southern 
sun, at times being short of rations, and at no time out of dan- 
ger, yet all the time nearly 
uncomplaining — every one 
trying to make the best of it, 
and all as merry as the sit- 
uation would admit. Each 
day some of the boys have 
come in relating new dis- 
coveries on reconnoisance, 
and I do not think there is 
a foot of ground about these 
hills that has not been ex- 
plored^ a well or spring that 
has not been tested, or a 
single object of interest 
of any kind that has not 
been worked till it grew 
stale. Then each man has 
had his peculiar view of 
how a siege like this ought 
that is, from the standpoint_iof rank and tile. 




Shell avith Fuse.— Tlic fuse is graduated on 
the outside into equal parts, lepresenting 
seconds and iiuarter-seconds. In the bottom 
of this channel is a smooth layer of a compo- 
sition ot lead and tin, with a piece of wick or 
yarn underneath it. On this is placed a piece 
of metal. When ready for firing, the dial is 
gauged at the proper point at which the fuse 
IS to burn through into the shell. 

to be conducted- 



THE SIEGE OP VICKSBURG. 59 

However, we are all agreed that the quiet man m command of 
our forces is still able to anticipate the requirements of our situa- 
tion. I call him quiet, for that is just what he is. There is no 
dash or glitter about him, but he is marked by a steady nerve, 
and piercing glance that seems to be always on the alert. Many 
a second lieutenant has fallen a victim to the sharpshooter be- 
cause of his fresh uniform, while oflicers of more experience have 
escaped under slouched hats and old blouses. There seems to be 
no limit, however, to the experience of some of them. 

A cook of the 96th Ohio happened to be cooking beans the other 
day, when Gen. A. J. Smith, commanding a division of the 13th 
Army Corps, came around on camp inspection. After being 
properly saluted by the cook, the general began a colloquy as 
follows : 

Gen. Smith. — What are you cooking? 

The Cook. — Beans, sir. 

General Smith. — How long do you cook beans ? 

The Cook. — Four hours, sir. 

Gen. Smith (with a look of withering scorn). — Four hours .' Yoa 
cook 'em six hours ! 

That cook's, beans were tender enough that day. 

"Once again the fire of hell 

Rained the rebel <iuarters. 
With scream of shot and burst of shell. 
And bellowing of the mortars." 

June 20th. — This morning our 
whole line of artillery — seven miles 
long — opened on the doomed city 
and fortifications at six o'clock, 
Hand-grenl^irthTown from and kept up the firing for four 

*'°^'^^''^- hours, during which time the 

smoke was so thick we could see nothing but the flash of the guns. 
No fog could have so completely hid from view objects around, 
both close and famihar. Had the rebs made a dash for liberty 
then, they could not have been discovered until they were right 
upon us. But they did not do it. Our infantry was all called 
out in line of battle, and we stacked arms till the firing ceased. 
0, what a calm after that terrific bellowing. There was every 
variety of tone to-day from the dogs of war— from the squeak of 
a little fiste to the roar of a bull dog. The sound of some brass 
pieces was so loud as to drown the reverberations of the larger 
guns, and not a return shot was fired. 




60 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 

iiiljiilil^ — : ; 

lillllllllllllllPllilnlli I '' '' "^ ' , '' ^ /_ / , I 




THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 61 

Poor fellows, bow tamely they took it ! They had nothing to 
say — at least that we could hear. Several of our boys laid down 
and slept during the firing as soundly as if they had been on their 
mothers' feather beds at home. When the clouds cleared away 
I thought the stars and stripes never looked so beautiful. Even 
if the defenceless women and children inVicksburgare protected, 
or feel as if they were, such a screeching of shot and shell must 
prove a terror to them, and my heart has not yet grown so hard- 
ened that I can not feel for them. 

There is a good deal of complaint, in our company at least, about 
the coffee we get. It seems not quite so good as that we have 
had, and I suspect it has been adulterated by somebody who is 
willing to get rich at the expense of the poor soldier, whose curses 
will be heaped strong and heavy on anybody who deteriorates any 
of his rations, and particularly his coffee. The only time a sol- 
dier can not drink his coffee is when the use of that ration 
is suspended. In fact, there is nothing so refreshing as a 
cup of hot coffee, and no sooner has a marching column halted, 
than out from each haversack comes a little paper sack of ground 
coffee, and a, tin cup or tin can, with a wire bale, 1o be filled from 
the canteen and set upon a fire to boil. The coffee should not 
be put in the water before it boils. At first I was green enough 
to do so, but soon learned better, being compelled to march 
before the water boiled, and consequently lost my coffee. I 
lost both the waler and the coffee. It takes but about five min- 
utes to boil a cup of water, and then if you have to march you 
can put your coffee in and carry it till it is cool enough to sip as 
you go. Even if we halt a dozen times a day, that many 
times will a soldier make and drink his coffee, for when 
the commissary is full and plenty, we may drink coffee and 
nibble crackers from morning till night. The aroma of the 
first cup of coffee soon sets the whole army to boiling; and the 
best vessel in which to boil coffee for a soldier is a common cove 
oyster can, with a bit of bent wire for a bale, by which you can 
hold it on a stick over the fire, and thus avoid its tipping over by 
the burning away of its supports. 

June 21st. — To-day again church bells at the North are calling 
good people to worship, and to hear words of cheer and comfort 
to the soul. The prayers of our patriotic mothers and fathers 



62 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 

that will go up to-day for the suppression of this rebellion will 
surely have a hearing. 

We had inspection of arms and quarters at nine this morning. 
Of course everything was in good order, but if such a thing 
should take us by surprise some time, our l)eds might be found 
not made, and things in general upside down. When notice of 
this inspection was given, or rather an order to prepare for it, 
one of our boys remarked, "This must be Sunday ;" and he added, 
"I guess I won't wait for this inspection, — I'll take my girl to 
church." If his girl had been here the whole company would 
doubtless have wanted to goto church, too. "Though lost to sight, 
to memory dear." W^e can talk to the sweet creatures only through 
the dear letters exchanged; but a love letter brings a very bright 
smile to a warrior's face, and the sunshine that prevails in camp 
after the reading of the mail from home, is quite noticeable. 
Dear girls, do not stop writing ; write letters that are still longer, 
for they are the sweetest of war's amenities, and are the only 
medicine that has kept life in the veins of many a homesick 
soldier. When the mail comes I cannot help wishing everybody 
may get a letter ; but alas ! some must miss hearing their names 
read, and oh ! the sadness that creeps over them when the last 
name has been called and the last letter handed out to some one 
else. They are sadder than if wounded by a bullet. If wounded, 
a surgeon may prescribe; but what prescription for the failure 
of a letter from home? Our mail is by no means daily, and 
if it comes at all, its favors are few and far between. Indeed, 
each time it comes we get to feeling as if it may never come 
again. And so it may prove, in fact. The disappointed one 
carries his strangled hope into the next,day's fight, falls, and dies, 
perhaps, from some wound that otherwise might prove slight, 
for his heart is broken. 

This afternoon I stood on a little hill just back of a regiment 
adjoining, talking with a friend there, when crash through his 
brain went a rebel bullet. He had just alluded to the horrors of 
the daily strife. Eelieved from further duty here, he went to answer 
roll-call in a better army, to which his honorable discharge from 
this ought surely to admit him. He answered the first call of 
his country, and had served faithfully through two years of hard- 
ship and danger. I personally know that he fought well, and 
his name should not fail to be enrolled somewhere in the records 
of his country. 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 63 

June 22d. — Johnston is getting lively again, and beginning to 
kick up a dust in the rear; so we have orders to move to- 
night, with three days' cooked rations. One regiment from each 
brigade in Logan's division constitute our expedition, which, I 
think, will find him, and if we get sight of his army, somebody 
will be likely to get hurt. 

It is now just a month f-iuce we made the charge on the enemy's 
line which proved to us so disastrous, and our cannon now are 
too close to act on Fort Hill, so a wooden gun has been made, 
which, charged with a small amount of powder, throws the shell 
inside the fort — a new device, but working well, for it can drop 
its missile where the cannon cannot. 

We have eaten pretty well in camp to-day, and cooked 
everything we had on hand, since we may not get so good an op- 
portunity again upon the march. When hard tack was first 
issued there was but one way to eat it, and that was dry, just as 
it reached us. Practice, however, taught us to prepare a variety 
of dishes from it. The most palatable way to dispose of hard 
tack, to my taste, is to pulverize, then soak over night, and fry 
for breakfast as batter-cakes. Another good way is to soak whole, 
and then fry; and still another is to soak a little, then lay it by 
the fire and let grease drop on it from toasted meat, held to the 
fire on a pointed stick. This latter is the most common way on 
a march. Sometimes the tack is very hard indeed by the time 
it reaches us, and it requires some knack to break it. I have 
frequently seen boys break it over their knees. Just raise your 
foot up so as to bring the bent knee handy, and then fetch your 
hard tack down on it with your right hand, with all the force 
you can spare, and, if not too tough, you may break it in two. 
But one poor fellow I saw was completely exhausted trying to 
break a hard tack, and after resorting to all the devices he could 
think of, finally accomplished it by dropping on it a 12-pound 
shell. The objection to that plan was, however, that the fellow 
could hardly find his hard tack afterward. 

At midnight we crept out of camp unobserved — everything be- 
ing quiet except now and then a shot on picket line. 

June 23d. — We halted this morning at six o'clock, and but a 
few minutes elapsed before two-thirds of the regiment were fast 
asleep. A few very hungry ones, only, made cofl^ee and took 
breakfast. 



64 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 




We find ourselves again on the road to Jackson, but what our 
final destination is, no one knows except the stars in front. We 
surmise our course to be through Johnston's army, if we can 
find it. 

The "blarsted" bugle blasted us out on the road again at seven. 

I believe I, for one, would 
rather have spent my hour 
in eating than sleeping. 
However, we trudged our 
eight miles at an easy pace 
and halted again. The 
birds were singing mer- 
rily, with no sounds of war 
j)u^. ni shciu-iT.iit. to interfere. It is rumored 

that we are out hunting the paymaster instead of Johnston. 

June 24th.— Awaiting orders to march is as tiresome as wait- 
ing at a station for a trnin. We Avere ready for marching orders 
again this morning, but failed to get them. 

The weather is hot. Some of 
the rebel prisoners have said we 
could not stand this heat, but I 
guess the Yanks can stand it if 
they can, and if it should actually 
get too hot, we will just cool their 
country off. The nights are pleas- 
ant enough and we are thankful for 
the comfort of the sleep which they 
allow us. We have a chance out 
here to forage a little, and though 
but little, any change from army 
rations becomes agreeable. 

It is amazing what progress 
soldiers make in foraging. They 
began committing such depreda- 
tions as to cause an order on the 
subject to be issued, and on 
the eighth of May last the com- 
manding General requn-ed a general order, prohibiting foraging, 
to be read throughout the army five times a day. Not long after 
that, two soldiers of the 13th corps were arrested and brought be- 
fore General A. J. Smith, at his headquarters in a fine grove 




Friction Tube for Firing Cannon.— 
The tube Is inserted into the vent of 
tlie cannon and tired by means of a 
stout cord, which has a wooden 
handle at one end, and an iron hook 
at tlie other; the cannoneer puts 
the hoolc through the loop in the wire 
of the friction tube, ami liDhiiiig the 
cnrd by the handle, pulls steadily un- 
til the wire is withdrawn, wiien an 
explosion takes place, induced by 
till' friction of the wire against the 
composition in the tube. 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



65 



of stately poplars, where the General was informed by the guard 
that the men had been caught in the act of stealing chickens. 
The gallant General appeared to be revolving the heinousness of 
the charge as he looked aloft among the poplars, and presently 
the guard inquired what should be done with the men, when the 
General, after another glance upward, turning to the guard, re- 
plied, "0, damn 'em, let 'em go. There ain't any tree here high 
enough to hang 'em on." 

June 25th. — We have orders to stay in camp, ready to move 
at a moment's notice. Our marching orders are still delayed, so 
we have enjoyed a good rest. We are now out of hearing of the 
guns at Vicksburg, and it seems very still around us, indeed. 

The term of the enlistment of some members of our regiment 
has now expired, and they seem to want to get home again to 
see their mamas; but go they can not until our "rabbit is caught." 
Shame on them for wanting to leave before the flag flies over 
Vicksburg. Many of them have had letters from friends at the 
North, urging them not to stay after their time is out. But they 
may as well make up their minds that Grant will hold them till 
Vicksburg is taken. 

June 26th. — We have heard that Port Hudson is ours, and I 
hope this may be true, for it will tend to hasten the surrender of 
Vicksburg. 

A little dirt has been thrown up 
ahead of us, as a shield, in case we 
have to fight the enemy. We hear 
all sorts of reports about the 
strength of Johnston's army, but 
the truth will only appear when we 
meet it. One captive said the re- 
port in Vicksburg was that Pember- 
ton despair- 
ed of getting 
help from 
the out side, 
and was 

voQrii7-fn onv Coinl)ineil kiiit'o. fork and spnoii. uscil bv the boys 

reaay lo sur- .^^ ^i^^ ^-^^g ^^ vicksburg. 

render when the last meal rations have been eaten. He probably 
understands the resources of our commissary, as well as the mag- 
nanimous disposition of Grant to issue provisions to a starving foe. 
—5 




66 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 

Well, why not '? The first square meal received from Uncle Sam 
will be an occasion to them of thanksgiving. They will get the 
best that we can issue. And when the war is over, true soldiers 
of both armies will be among the first to break the bread of reunion 
and quaffthecup of restored peace and good will. 

June 27th. — A number of our boys went a few miles, blackber- 
rying, and picked quite a quantity to bring home, when w^e 
heard the sound of horses' hoofs, and suddenly concluding we had 
berries enough, we beat a hasty retreat for camp and got there 
safely. 

The weather is not quite as hot here as it was in our close 
quarters at the front, but while we enjoy that change we would 
much prefer remaining at our post there, until the end of the 
siege. 

Some of the boys have had to boil their pants — the only pro- 
cess which is sure death to an enemy lurking there which we find 
most troublesome. While our pants are boiling the owner leans 
over the kettle anxiously, for it is probably his only pair. Well, 
it is now summer time, and it will do to sun ourselves an hour or 
two. These little pests lurking in our pants become very annoy- 
ing when they go foraging. These creatures are about the only 
war relics from which I have not gathered specimens to send 
home. I have, in fact, gathered enough of them, but with no view 
to a museum or cabinet. It is fun to see a fellow get into a pair 
of boiled pants. The boiling has shrunk them till they fail to 
reach the top of his brogans by some inches, and accordingly he 
bends over to try to pull them down to a junction, when the con- 
trary things seem to recoil still further ; and the only satisfaction 
left to him at last — and it is no mean one, either — is that they 
are at least clean, and he himself is once more their sole occu- 
pant. How long he will remain so, however, it is hard to say. 

June 28th.^ — The boys of the 20th left at Vicksburg joined our 
regiment to-day. We were very anxious to hear how the siege 
was progressing, and, to our surprise, learned that it was going 
right on as usual, without our assistance. It was interesting to 
hear of the blowing up of Fort Hill by our division, but we did 
not ascertain the number killed, though the explosion 

Hoisted two or three, 
And blew a darky free 
From slavery to freedom. 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



67 



This negro, blown up with other chattels in the fort, was 
dropped into our lines and taken to General Logan's headquar- 
ters, none the worse for his trip. When asked what he saw, he 
said, "As I was comin' down I met massa gwine up." Nothing, 
however, was gained by blowing up the fort, except planting the 






EXPLANATIONS. 


A. 


Lower Water Batteries. 


H. 


Outer Lines of Defense. 


B. 


Upper Water Batteries. 


I. 


Walnut Bluffs. 


C. 


Inner Lines of Defense. 


K. 


Bayou. 


D. 


Redoubt. (A Fortification breast 


L. 


Shreveport Railroad. 




high.) 


M. 


Ferry 


E. 


Redan. (A Fortification in the shape 


M. 


B. Mortar Boats. 




of the letter A.) 


N. 


Jackson Railroad. 


F. 


Fort 


O. 


Abattis. (Trees or branches of Trees 


(i. 


Road. 




to impede the approach of Assail- 


Dotted Lines. Eifle Pits. 




ants.) 



68 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBUEG. 

stars and stripes thereon, by our troops who made the charge 
after the explosion ; but our colors were removed, for safety, after 
dark. While our men lay all the afternoon on the side of the 
fort, the rebels threw into their ranks hand-grenades which killed 
and wounded quite a number. Our boys, however, would occa- 
sionally catch them and toss them back to the place from which 
they came, just in time to explode among their owners. 

Living out here in the woods is quite different from camping 
before Vicksburg. Yet all is life and bustle wherever we are, 
from reveille at daybreak, to tattoo at night. Each man must 
answer to his name in ranks at roll-call in the morning, and must 
be properly dressed. Some of the most ludicrous scenes of army 
life are to be witnessed at this exercise. A few of the old fash- 
ioned, steady fellows, as a general thing appear quite thoroughly 
dressed ; but as you go down the ranks from the head where they 
stand, you will begin to find, now and then, a man who has but 
one boot or shoe on, with the other but half way on. Another 
boy will be putting on his blouse — having grabbed it in the 
dark — of course wrong side out. Another has tossed his blouse 
over his shoulders, and is trying to hide close to his right-hand 
man. Still another, trying to get his pants on between his bed 
and the line, has caught a foot in the lining, and hops along like 
a sore-footed chicken. I saw one fellow come out, at the foot of 
the company, wrapped only in a blanket. The orderly, however, 
sent him back to be better uniformed ; he could not play Indian 
at morning roll-call. The last one of those who have over- 
slept, makes his appearance holding on to his clothes with both 
hands. Some answer to their names before taking position in 
the ranks, and in fact, even some before they are fairly out of 
bed. A company which has for its orderly a person who is a 
little lenient, fares well ; but if he is inclined to strain his authority, 
he is bound to have its ill-will. After roll-call, some of the 
half-dressed return to bed for another snooze, while the rest com- 
plete their toilet. After that comes the splitting of rails, building 
of fires, and a general rash for breakfast, which winds up the du- 
ties of the morning. 

June 29th. — The 4th of July is fast approaching, and if we do 
not get our prize by that time, we will have a little celebration 
out here in the woods, for we have flags, drums and plenty of 
spread-eagle speakers, and we can omit the cannon, of which 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 69 

kind of music we have had a surfeit. Yes, we have all the mate- 
rial for a patriotic celebration, but I had hoped we should waive 
the old flag in Vicksburg that day. 

I was sick last night, and up many times before day ; and as I 
walked among the sleepers, I was astonished at the snoring; the 
variety of sounds made was as great as that of a brass band. 

A rumor circulates that Pemberton has made an attack on our 
lines at Vicksburg, trying to cut his way out, but failed of his 
purpose. From a prisoner brought in, I have learned, by ques- 
tioning, that the rebel authorities have made numerous drafts 
for young and old, to refill their ranks, and I think their army 
now must be as strong as it can ever be. By conscription and 
terrorism they have forced into the field every available man. 
With the North it is not so, for the old song, "We are Coming, 
Father Abraham, Three Hundred Thousand More," is being sung 
there yet, with good will, and volunteers are still pouring in to 
fill up what may be lacking in our ranks. We can thus throw 
renewed forces against failing ones. 

June SOih. — Our dreams were broken this morning at daylight 
by the bug'e call, and in a very few minutes the whole command 
was up and ready to march — their beds around the owners' necks. 
Our wojlen blankets are rolled up as tight as possible, having a 
rubber one outside, which, when the two ends are tied, are swung 
around our necks. If there has been a rain to wet the blankets, 
and no time to dry them, they make a heavy load on the march ; 
so no time is lost in drying blankets whenever the opportunity is 
offered. If it is raining when we retire, and brush can be cut to 
lay the blankets on, we get a number one spring bed, and when 
the weather is pleasant a good bed can be made by laying down 
two rails the width of the blanket apart, and filling the space with 
grass, or straw from any adjacent stack, on which the blankets 
may be spread. There is a sort of tall grass growing in this 
country which makes a soft bed, and is quite worth the pulling. 
Everything possible is done by the soldier to secure a good night's 
sleep. I have seen straw stacks torn to pieces, sheds pulled 
down, and fences melt away in the twinkling of an eye, about camp 
time. A certain officer has ordered his men to take only the top 
rail, which order was obeyed to the letter, yet every rail disap- 
peared — the bottom rail finally becoming the top one. I have 



70 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBUEG. 






TUl' rliar^L' and rcnmlsc at i-'oit Hill. 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBUEG. 



71 



seen half a regiment bearing rails, boards and straw toward 
camp before even the end of the day's march was reached. They 
will have good beds and fires. 




July 1st. Here we enter upon the patriotic month of July, 
and where and how we are to spend it is yet beyond our conjec- 
ture, for we never know in this kind of service what a day may 
bring forth. 

Preparations appear to have been made here for remaining in 
camp, and yet we may sleep to-night many miles away, or per- 
haps, without sleeping, march the whole night through. If only 
life is spared, it is enough ; our duties are not shirked. If we 
camp only for a day, our quarters are to be all cleaned up, and 
everything put in the best order possible for comfort. On such 
excursions as this we have no mess cooking, but every fellow 
cooks for himself. The first man up in the morning, therefore, 
gets the frying-pan, from whom the next must engage it, and 
then may come number three, who is referred to number two. 



72 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBUKG. 

So the utensil goes round a group or mess. The coffee is gener- 
ally made in a camp kettle for the entire company. I have spent 
more time hun'ing up the owner of the last claim on the frying- 
pan than it afterward took to fry my bacon and crackers. 

The pay-master is said to be not far from camp, which creates 
quite an excitement, since he may charge upon us any moment. 
There were orders for inspection every morning at eight o'clock 
for all companies. A little exercise of this kind hurts nobody, 
I took a stroll through the woods, looking at the graves of those 
who had fallen by the wayside while our army fought for the 
position it now holds around Vicksburg. These graves will soon 
be leveled, and their last trace lost. Friends may mourn for the 
fallen, but their tears will never water the graves of the heroes. 

I write with the aid of a bayonet candle-stick. The latter end 
of this month will find me just twenty-one years of age. 

July 2nd. — This is Camp Tiffin. Our regiment was favored 
to-day with a large mail, and nothing could have been more ac- 
ceptable. Letters from home were looked into first, and next, of 
course, came sweethearts. One letter was read aloud, describ- 
ing the capture of a butternut camp, in Holmes county, Ohio. 
The fort was built on a hill, and manned with several cannon, to 
resist the draft. A few soldiers from Camp Chase, however, 
went over and soon put an end to that attempt at resistance. I 
regret to hear of such a disgraceful affair occurring in my native 
State. From other letters and papers it appears this thing occurs 
in many other Northern States, and of course it must give en- 
couragement to the rebels. 

The rumor now runs that the paymaster will be at hand to- 
morrow, but he is about as reliable as Johnston, for we 
have been something like a week looking for both these gentle- 
men. I confess I would rather meet greenbacks than graybacks. 

This afternoon, with several others, I went blackberrying again, 
and in searching for something to eat, we paid a visit to a house 
where, to our happy surprise, we found a birthday party, bright- 
ened by the presence of no less than eleven young ladies. We 
asked, of course, where "the boys" were, and they replied, as we 
expected, "out hunting Yanks." Well, we found it a treat to get 
a taste of sociality once more, after being so long famished. 
They were very nice rebel girls, though I think the color of the 
eyes of one of them was what I might call true hliic. They asked 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



73 



lis to lunch with them, which we did with pleasure. The eatables 
were good, and we had a splendid time — all the while, of course, 
keeping one eye on the girls and the other on the window. We 
told our experience at our last hlackberrying excursion, when 
they assured as we had nothing to fear with them, for they were 
all "for the Union." No doubt they will be whenever their 
"boys" come home. 




This is a fac'-siinile of a "hard-tack".issued to tiie author at VicksburK- The scene 
xilton it represents a soldier toastiue his cracker, and the spots in the cracker were 
caused bv tlie worms which iniiahited it. * 



caused by the worms whicli iniiabited it 



74 



THE SIEGE OF VICKbBUEG. 



July 3d. — Uncle Sam's cashier has arrived at last, and we 
have been paid for two months' service. The married men are 
quite anxious to send their money home to their wives and little 
ones. It is risky sending money North from here, yet, to some, 
more dangerous to keep it. I saw two boys sitting on a log, to- 
day, playing poker at five cents a game. Five cent currency is 
paid in a sheet, and, as either lost the game, a five cent piece was 
torn off. 




HE FOUETH OF JULY ! The siege is 
at last ended. Behold the white flag 
now waving over the rebel ramparts. 
Vicksburg has at length surrendered. 
Speed the glad news to our loved ones 
at the North, who, during our long trial, 
have helped us with their prayers. 
Speed it to the entire forces of the 
Union, that they may all take courage 
and move again. 

We are all full of rejoicing, as the 
event will no doubt prove a death-blow 
to the rebellion in the Southwest. Vicksburg has been the boast 
of the enemy, who thought it to be impregnable, and they confi- 
dently defied the Army of the West to take it. But by the un- 
tiring energy, skill and forecast of our gallant leader, U. S. Grant, 
aided by the willing and brave hearts about him, Vicksburg has 
been taken, and over it the stars and stripes now float proudly in 
all their majestic beauty. How glad I am that I have been one 
of those who have endured the trials requisite to plant our ban- 
ner there. And while rejoicing over our success, let us not forget 
those who have died on these fields of honor. While we surviving 
raise Liberty's ensign over Vicksburg, let us remember the graves 
at Piaymond and Champion Hills. And in after years, when we 
meet to refresh the memory of soldier days, let our dead here 
around Vicksburg never be forgotten. Let us think of them as 
standing guard over our dearly-won prize, until the final roll- 
call, when each shall be " present " or " accounted for." 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBUKG. 75 

"They struggled and fell, their life-blood staining 

The assaulting foeman's hand; 
And clasping freedom's flag, sustaining. 

Cried, God save our native land. 
Let angels spread their wings protecting; 

Let sweetest flowers ever bloom; 
And let green bays, our faith reflecting, 

Mark each martyr's sacred tomb." 

Now that the enemy have resigned possession of Vicksbnrg, I 
trust the wicked rebelHon will not fail soon to near its end, when 
all our boys in blue will have leave, at will, to present arms to the 
girls they left behind them. A star heralding the coming peace 
already seems to twinkle in the sky. We rejoice not less over 
our triumph to-day because it was consummated upon the glorious 
Fourth. And while we rejoice for our country, we show no un- 
worthy exultation over the fallen, to whom we extend the sympathy 
of victors. 

Our division, under its commander. General Logan, marched 
into the city in triumph, and there took command and completed 
the long desired event — raising the star spangled banner over the 
court house cupola. 

"The armies of the Union 

Round Vicksbarg long had lain; 
For forty-seven days and nights 
Besieging it in vain. 

Then came the morning of the Fourth, 
Our Nation's jubilee— 

Ah, could the news this hour go north- 
In Vicksburg soon we'll be. 

The siege is done, the struggle past. 

On this eventful day 
Glad triumph crowns us, as, at last, 

Our thanks to God we pay. 

Above the vanauished walls I stand, 

My country, proud to see 
The festive hosts, with flag and band. 

Parading gloriously. 

O, glorious Fourth! O blissful day! 

How hearts of thousands swell 
To see such toils such hopes repay, 

Such dangers end so well." 



'^i^^J^ 



■^JDJD^IMIDIXKS. 




THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 79 



APPENDIX A. 



Correspondence between Generals Grant and Pemberton, 
relating to the surrender of vicksburg. 



Under a flag of truce, in the forenoon of July 3, General John 
S. Bowen and Col. Montgomery, A. A. G. on Gen. Pemherton's 
staff, brought the following dispatch : 

Headquarters, Vicksburg, July 3, 1868. 
Major-General Grant, Commanding United States forces: 

General : — I have the honor to propose to you an armistice for 
— hours, with a view to arranging terms for the capitulation of 
Vicksburg. To this end, if agreeable to you, I will appoint three 
commissioners, to meet a like number to be named by yourself, at 
such place and hour as you may find convenient. I make this 
proposition to save the further effusion of blood, which must 
otherwise be shed to a frightful extent, feeling myself fully able to 
maintain my position for a yet indefinite period. This communi- 
cation will be handed you, under a flag of truce, by Major-Gen- 
eral John S. Bowen. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

J. C. Pemberton. 

General Grant's reply : 

Headquarters Department of Tennessee, 
In the Field, near Vicksburg, July 3, 1863. 

Lieut. -General J. C. Pemberton, Commanding Confederate forces: 

General : — Your note of this date, just received, proposes an 
armistice of several hours for the purpose of arranging terms of 
capitulation, through commissioners to be appointed, etc. The 
effusion of blood you propose stopping by this course can be 
ended at any time you may choose, by an unconditional sur- 
render of the city and garrison. Men who have shown so much 
endurance and courage as those now in Vicksburg will always 



80 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



challenge the respect of an adversary, and I can assure you will 
be treated with all the respect due them as prisoners of war. I 
do not favor the proposition of appointing commissioners to 
arrange terms of capitulation, because I have no other terms 
than those indicated above. 

I am, General, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

U. S. Grant, Major-General. 

General Bowen requested that General Grant would meet Gen- 
eral Pembeiton on neutral ground, as more could be accomplished 
by a personal interview, to which General Grant replied he would 
meet General Pemberton in the afternoon, at three o'clock. At 
three o'clock General Pemberton made his appearance, accom- 
panied by General John S. Bowen and Col. Montgomery, and at 
the same time Generals Grant, James B. McPherson and A. J. 
Smith passed through the Union line and met them beneath a 

large oak tree that stood between 
the two lines, and to the left of 
Fort Hill on the Jackson road. 
After a lengthy conversation, 
without settling upon any defi- 
nite terms, the six officers re- 
turned to their respective quar- 
ters. General Grant sent the 
following dispatch by the hands 
of General John A. Logan and 
Lieutenant-Colonel Wilson : 




Book made of the tree under which 
Grant and Pomberton met. 



Headquarters Department of Tennessee, 
Near Vicksburg, July 3, 1863. 

Lieutcnant-General J. C. Pemberton, Commanding Confederate 
forces, Vicksburg, Miss.: 
General: — In conformity with the agreement of this afternoon, 
I will submit the following proposition for the surrender of the 
city of Vicksburg, public stores, etc. On your accepting the 
terms proposed, I will march in one division, as a guard, and 
take possession at eight o'clock to-morrow morning. As soon as 
paroles can be made out and signed by the officers and men, you 
will be allowed to march out of our lines, the officers taking with 
them their regimental clothing, and staff, field and cavalry officers 
one horse each. The rank and file will be allowed all their cloth- 
ing, but no other property. If these conditions are accepted, any 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 81 

amount of rations you may deem necessary can be taken from 
the stores you now have, and also the necessary cooking utensils 
for cooking them ; thirty wagons also, counting two two-horse or 
mule teams as one. You will be allowed to transport such articles 
as can not be carried along. The same conditions will be allowed 
to all sick and wounded officers and privates as fast as they be- 
come able to travel. The paroles for these latter must be signed, 
however, while officers are present authorized to sign the roll of 
prisoners. 

I am. General, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

U. S. Grant, Major-General. 

Headquarters, Vicksburg, July 3, 1883. 
Major-General Grant, Coinmandinr/ United States forces: 

General : — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your 
communication of this date, proposing terms for the surrender of 
this garrison and post. In the main, your terms are accepted ; 
but in justice both to the honor and spirit of my troops, mani- 
fested in the defense of Vicksburg, I have the honor to submit 
the following amendments, which, if acceded to by you, will per- 
fect the agreement between us : At ten o'clock to-morrow I pro- 
pose to evacuate the works in and around A^icksburg, and to 
surrender the city and garrison under my command, by marching 
out with my colors and arms and stacking them in front of my 
present limits, after which you will take possession ; officers to 
retain their side-arms and personal property, and the rights and 
personal property of citizens to be respected. 

I am, General, yours very respecl fully, 

J. C. Pemberton, Lientenant-General. 

General Grant replied as follows : 

Headquarters Department of Tennessee, 
Before A'icksburg, July 4, 1863. 
Lieutenant-General Pend)erton, Commanding forces in Vickshurg: 

General : — I have the honor to acknowledge your communica- 
tion of the 3d of July. The amendments proposed by you can 
not be acceded to in full. It will l)e necessary to furnish every 
officer and man with a parole signed l)y himself, which, with the 
completion of the rolls of prisoners, will necessarily take some 
time. Again, I can make no stipulation with regard to the treat- 
ment of citizens and their private property. While I do not pro- 
pose to cause any of them any undue annoyance or loss, I can 
— 3 



82 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 

not consent to leave myself under restraint by stipulations. The 
property which officers can be allowed to take with them will be 
as stated in the proposition of last evening —that is, that officers 
will be allowed their private baggage and side-arms, and mounted 
officers one horse each. If you mean by your proposition for 
each brigade to march to the front of the lines now occupied by 
it, and stack their arms at ten o'clock A. M., and then return to 
the inside and remain as prisoners until properly paroled, I will 
make no objection to it. Should no modifications be made of 
your acceptance of my terms by nine o'clock A.M., I shall regard 
them as having been rejected, and act accordingly. Should 
these terms be accepted, white flags will be displayed along your 
liDes, to prevent such of my troops as may not have been notified 
from firing on your men. 

I am. General, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

U. S. Grant, Major-General U. S. A. 

Pemberton's reply : 

Headquarters, Vicksburg, July 4, 1863. 
Major-General U. S. Grant, Commanding United States forces, etc.: 
General : — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your 
communication of this date, and, in reply, to say that the terms 
proposed by you are accepted. 

Yery respectfully, your obedient servant, 

J. C. Pemberton, Lieutenant-General. 

Shortly after this dispatch was received, the white flags — the 
signals of surrender — waved along the entire line of the enemy. 
At one o'clock the line marched into Vicksburg, as follows : 

Major-General U. S. Grant and staff. 

Major-General James B. McPherson and staff. 

Major-General John A. Logan and staff. 

Brigadier-General M. D. Leggett, First Brigade, Third Di\'ision, 
led by the Forty-Fifth Illinois. 

Brigadier-General Thomas E. G. Kansom, First Brigade, 
Seventh Division, temporarily assigned to Logan. 

Brigadier-General John D. Steveuson, Second Brigade, Third 
Division. 

The procession, arriving at the court house, placed the stars 
and stripes on its dome. 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBUKG. 



83 




Vicksburg Court House, the target for a hundred guns. 



84 



THE SIECxE OF VICKSBUEG. 



INSIGNIA OF RANK IN THE U, S, ARMY, 





if 


^jl^^S 


^f 


H 


•. ^^.f^,^ 


IHI 


4 


H 




jttii 


g 








8 




1 


\,..X-N^J^T 


H 



10 



12 




17 18 



9. 
10.- 
11.- 
12.- 
13. 
14.- 
15. 
10.- 
17.- 
18.- 
19.- 



-Lieutenant-General. 

-Major-General. 

-Brigadier-General. 

—Colonel. 

-Lieutenant-Colonel, silver leaf, (Major, gold leaf.) 

-Captain. 

-First Lieutenant. 

-Second Lieutenant. 

-Surgeon, (Medical Staff.) 

-Quartermaster, (Quartermaster Department.) 

-Paymaster, (Paymaster Department.) 

-Commissary, (Commissary Department.) 

-Hospital Steward. 

-Sergeant-Major. 

-Quartermaster Sergeant. 

-Orderly Sergeant. 

-Second Sergeant. 

-Corporal. 

-Veteran— stripes for re-enlisting. 




THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



85 



APPENDIX B 




ROSTER 

OF THE 

UNION FORCES OPERATING AGAINST VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI, 

May 1st, 18G3— July 4th, 18C3. 



86 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE. 




MAJ.-GEN'L ULYSSES S. GEANT. 

escort: 

Captain E. D. Osband, Co. A, 4tli 111. Cav. 

enCtINEEe: 

Major Wm. Tweeddale, 1st Battalion Engineer Kegt. of the West. 



THE SIEGE OF VICK&BUKG. 



87 




13TH ARMY CORPS. 




MAJ.-GEN'L JOHN A. McCLERNAND. 



escort: 
Captain David R. Hpakks, Co. L, Sd 111. Cav. 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 




MAJ.-GEN'L E. O. (.. OHD. 
(Superceding Maj.-Gen'l MeClernand, June 19th.) 

NINTH DIVISION. . 




brig.-gen'l peter j. osterhaus. 
First Brigade. 




(1) BRIGADIER-GEN L THEOPHILUS T. GARRARD. 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



89 




:(2) BRIG.-GEN'L ALBERT L. LEE. (May 18.) 

( May 19th, was struck by a rifle-ball in the right cheek. The ball dislodged a 
few teeth and passed out through the back of his neck.) 

(3} Col. James Keigwin. (May 19.) 
118th 111. (mounted); 49th Ind.; 69th Ind.; 7th Ky.; 120th Ohio. 



Second Brigade. 



1 1 ) Col. Lionel A. Sheldon. ( 2 ) Col. Daniel W. Lindslay. ( May 31. 

54th Ind.; 22d Ky.: Itith Ohio; 42d Ohio; 114th Ohio. 




ARTILLERY. 
7th Batt'y Mich. Lt. Art'y. and 1st Batt'y Wis. Lt. Arfy. 



CAVALRY. 

( May 31.) Cos. A, E and K, 3d 111. Cav. 

( June 30.) Three companies 2d 111. and seven companies (ith Mo. Cav. 



90 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBUEG. 

TENTH DIVISION. 




BllIG.-CiENL ANDliLW .1. ^MliH. 

escoet: 

Co. C, 4th Ind. Cav. 

FiKST Brigade. 




BEIG.-GEN'L STEPHEN G. EUKBRIDGE. 
16th Ind.; GOth Ind.; 67th Ind.; 83d Ohio; 96th Ohio; 23d Wis. 



the siege of vicksburg. 
Second Brigade. 

Col. Wm. J. Landram. 

77th 111.; 97th 111.; 108th 111.; 130th 111.; 19th Ky.; 48th Ohio. 

ARTILLERY. 
111. Lt. Art'y; Chicago Mercantile Battery; Ohio Lt. Art'y; 17th Battery. 

TWELFTH DIVISION. 



91 




BRIG.-GENX ALVIN P. HOVEY. 

ESCORT : 

Co. C, 1st lud. Cav. 

First Brigade, 
brig.-gen'l george f. mcginnis. 

11th Ind.; 24th Ind.; 34th Ind,; 46th Ind.; 29th Wis. 



Second Brigade. 

Coii. James R. Slack. 

47th Ind.; 24th Iowa; 28th Iowa; 56th Ohio; 87th 111. (June 30.) 

ARTILLERY. 
2d 111. Lt. Arfy; Batt'y. A. 1st Mo. Lt. Art'y; Batt'y A, OhioLt. Art'y; 2d Batt'y, 
and 16th Batt'y. 



92 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



FOUETEENTH DIVISION. 




BRIG.-GEN'L EUGENE A. CAKE. 

escoet: 
Co. G, 3d 111. Cav. 



First Brigade. 




(1) BRIG. GEN'L WM. p. BENTON. 

(2) Col. Henby D. Washburn. (May 31.) Col. David Shunk. (June 27.) 

33d 111.; 99th 111.; 8th Ind.: 18th Ind.; 1st U. S. 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBUKG. 



93 



Second Brigade. 
(1) Col. Wm. M. Stone. 




(2) BRI'T.-GEN'L MICHAEL K. LAWLER. ( May 2.) 
21st Iowa; 22d Iowa; 23d Iowa; 11th Wis. 



ARTILLERY. 

Ind. Lt. Arfy: 1st Batfy: Iowa Lt. Arfy, 1st Batt'y; (May 31.) Batf y A. 2d 111 
Lt. Art'y. 

CAVALRY, 

Unattached-Cos. F, G, H, I, K, 2dlil. Cav.: Patterson's Co. Ky. Inf. (Pioneers) 
Cos. B. E, F, G, H, I, K, 6th Mo. Cav. 



94 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBUEG. 




i5TH ARMY CORPS. 




MAJ.-GEN'L WILLIAM T. SHEEMAN. 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 

FIRST DIVISION. 



95 




maj.-gen'l feederick steele. 
First Brigade. 

(1 ) Col. Fkancis H. Manter. (2) Col. Beenakd G. Faekar. (June 13.) 

13th 111.; 27th Mo.; 29th Mo.; 30th Mo.; 31st Mo.; 32d Mo. 

Second Brigade. 

Col. Charles R. Woods. 
25th Iowa;»31st Iowa; 3d Mo.; 12th Mo.; 17th Mo.; 76th Ohio. 

Third Brigade. 




BRIG.-GEN'L JOHN M THWER. 
4th Iowa; 9th Iowa; 26th Iowa; 30th Iowa. 

artillery. 

lowaLfArfy; IstBatt'y; 2d Mo. Lt. Arfy; Batfy F; Ohio Lt. Arfy; 4th Batt'y. 

CAVALRY. 

Kane.County, 111., 3d 111. Cav.. Co. D. 



96 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 

SECOND DIVISION. 




MAJ.-GEN'L FRANK V. BLAIll. 

First Brigade. 

Col. Giles A. Smith. 
113th 111.; 116th 111.; (ith Mo.; ISth Mo.; 13th U. S. (1st Bat.) 

Secoxd Brigade. 

(1) Col. Thomas Kilby Smith. 




(2) BRIG.-GEN'L. J. A. J. LIGHTBUEN. (May 24.) 
55th 111.; 127th 111.; 83Iiid.; 54th Ohio; 57th Ohio. 



the siege of vicksburg. 
Third Brigade. 



97 




BRIG.-GENL HUGH EWING. 
30th Ohio; 3rth Ohio; 47th Ohio; 4th West Va. 

ARTILLERY. 

Batfy A. B, H, 1st 111. Lt. Arfy; 8th Batt'y (Section) Ohio Lt. Arfy. 

CAVALRY. 

Thielemann's 111. Battalion, Cos. A and B; Co. C, IMh Mo. 

THIED DIVISION. 




BRIG.-GEN L JAMES M. TUTTLE. 



98 



the siege of vicksburg. 
First Bkigade. 




(1) BRIG.-GENL RALPH P. BUCKLAND. 

(2) Col. William L. McMillen'. (June 22.) 
114th 111.; 93d Ind.; 72dOhio; 95th Ohio. 

Second Brigade. 




S*/ 



BRIG.-GENL JOSEPH A. MOWER. 

47th 111.; 5th Minn.; 11th Mo.; 8th Wis. 

Third Brigade. 
(i) brig.-genl charles l. matthies 

(2) Col. Joseph J. Woods. (Junel.) 
8th Iowa;' 12th Iowa; .35th Iowa. 

ARTILLERY. 
1st 111. Lt. Art'y, Batt'y E; 2.1 Batt'y low a Lt. Arfy. 

CAVALRY. 
Unattached— 4th Iowa Cav. 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



99 




17TH ARMY CORPS. 




MAJ.-GENL JAMES B. McPHERSON. 



escort: 
Capt. J. S. FosTEE, Co. C, 4th Ohio Cav. 



100 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG, 



THIED DIVISION. 




MAJ.-GE» L JOHN A. LOtxAN. 

escoet: 
Capt. J. R. HoTAXiNG. Co. A, 2d 111. Car. 



First Brigade. 




(l.).RRIG.-GEN'L JOHN E. SMITH. 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



101 




(2) BRIG.-GEN'L MORTIMER D. LEGGETT. (June 3.) 
20th 111.; 31st 111.; 45th 111.; 124th 111.; 23d Ind. 



Second Brigade. 




(1) BRIG.-GEXL ELIAS 8. DENNIS. 
2) BRIG.-GEN'L M. D. LEGGETT. (May 15.) 



102 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 




(3) COL. MANNING F. FORCE. (June 3.) 
30th 111.; 2(itli Ohio; (iSth Ohio; 78th Ohio. 



Third Brigade. 




BRICt.-GEN'L JOHN D. STEVENSON. 
8th 111.; mhlll.; 81st 111.; 7th Mo.; 32 Ohio. 

ARTILLERY. 
Maj. Charles J. Stolbeand. 

Batt'y D, 1st 111. Lt. Art'y: Batteries G and L, 2d 111. Lt. Art'y; 8th Batfy Mich. 
Lt. Arfy; 3d Batfy Ohio Lt. Art'y. 
Unattached— ()3d 111. ( M ay 31.) 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSEURG. 

SIXTH DIVISION. 



103 




BRICt.-GENL JOHN McARTHUR. 

escort: 

Co. G, 11th 111. Cav. 



First Brigade. 

BEICt.-CIEN'L HUGH T. REID. 

Ist Kansas (Mounted); 16th Wis. 

Second Brigade. 




BPJi. ' GENL THOMAS E. G. RANSOM. 
11th 111.; 72(1 111.; 95th 111.; 14th Wis.; 17th Wis.; *18th Wis. 



*"lSth 'Wis. assigned to 1st Bngndo, Ttli Division, Muy 13. 



104 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 

TniRn Beigade. 




1 ) BEIG.-GEN'L MARCELLUS M. CROCKER. 

(Assigned to the 7th Division May 2.) 
( 2 ) Col. William Hall. ( May 2.) 
(3) Col. Alexander CHAMBEife. (June 6. 
11th Iowa; 13th Iowa; 15th Iowa; 16th Iowa. 

ARTILLERY. 
Maj. Thomas D. Maueice. 
Batfy F; 2d 111. Lt. Art'y; 1st Batfy Minn. Lt. Art'y. 
Batfy C, 1st Mo. Lt. Art'y; inth Batfy Ohio Lt. Art'y. 



SEVENTH DIVISION. 

(1) CoL. John B. Sanborn. 
2) BRIG.-GEN. MARCELLUS M. CROCKER. 



(May 2.) 




(3) 
(4) 



BRIG.-GEN'L ISAAC F. QUINBY. ( May 17.) 
BRIG.-GEN'L. JOHN E. SMITH. (June 31.) 

EStO.tT: 

Co. E, 2d 111. Cav.; Co. F, 4th Mo. Cav. 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBUEG. 



105 



First Brigade. 

( 1 ) Col. Jesse I. Alexander. ( 2 ) Col. John B. Sanbokn. ( May 2.) 

48th Ind.; 59tiilnd.; 4thiVlinn.; (18th Wis., May 13.) 



Second Brigade. 

(1) Col. Samuel a. Holmes. (2) Col. Geeen B. Raum. (Juneio.) 

59th 111.; 17th Iowa; 10th Mo.; Co. E, 24th Mo.; 80th Ohio. 



Third Brigade. 

(1 ) CoL. George B. Boomer. ( 2 ) Col. Holden Putnam. ( May 22. 

(3) BRIG.-GEN'L CHARLES L. MATTHIES. (June 2.) 
93d 111.; 5th Iowa; 10th Iowa; 26th Mo. 

ARTILLERY. 

( 1 ) Capt. Frank C. Sands. 

(2) Capt. Henry Dillon. (June.) 

Batt'y M. Ist Mo. Lt. Art'y; 11th Batfy Ohio Lt. Art'y. 
6th Batt'y Wis. Lt. Arfy; 12th Batfy Wis. Lt. Art'y. 



HEBRON'S DIVISION. 




MAJ.-GEN'L FRANCIS J. HEBRON. 



106 



the siege of vicxsburg. 
First ^Brigade. 




BRIG.-GEN'L WILLIAM VANDEVER. 
37th 111.; 26th Ind.; 20th Iowa: 34th Iowa: :^8th Iowa. 

ARTILLERY. 

Batfy'E, 1st Mo. Lt. Art'y; Batt'y F, 1st Mo. Lt. Art'y. 

Secokd Brigade. 




BRIG.-GEN'L W. W. ORME. 

94th 111.: 19th Iowa: 20th Wis. 

ARTILLERY. 

Batt'y B. 1st Mo. Lt. Art'y. 

Col. Cyeus Busset. 
Unattached— Cavalry, 5th III,; ;M Iowa; 2d Wis. 



THE S]EGE OF VICKSBURG. 



107 




16TH ARMY CORPS. 

( May 31, 1863.) 

FOURTH DIVISION. 




BMG.-GEN'L JACOB G. LaUMAN. 

First Brigade. 

Col. Isaac G. Pugh. 
41st 111.: 53d 111.: 3d Iowa: 33d "Wis. 

Second Brigade. 

Col. Cyeus Hall. 
14th 111.; 15th 111.: 47th 111.; 76th 111.; 5:3d Ind. 

Third Brigade. 
( 1 ) Col. Geoege E. Bktant. ( 2 ) Col. Amoey K. Johnson, i June 9.) 
28th 111.; 32d 111.; 12th Wis. { June 9th, 5;M Ind.) 

ARTILLERY. 

Capt. Geoege C. Gumbaet. 

2d 111. Lt. Art'y; Batteries E and K, Ohio Lt. Art'y; 5th, 7th and 15th Batteries. 

CAVALRY. 

Maj. James G. Wilson, Cos. F and I, 15th 111. 



108 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



9TH ARMY CORPS, 



( June 30, 18(;?.) 




MAJ.-GENL JOHN G. PARKE. 

FIRST DIVISION. 
brig.-gen'l thomas welsh. 

First Brigade. 

Col. Henky Bowman. 
36th Mass.; 17th Mich.; 'J7th Mich.; 45th Pa. 



Third Brigade. 

Col. Daniel Leasuke. 

2d Mich.; 8th Mich.; 20th Mich.; ;9th N. Y.; 100th Pa. 

ARTILLERY. 
Batt'y D, Pa. Lt. Art'y. 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 

SECOND DIVISION. 



109 




UUKt. (.LNL KOldLKT ]J POTTER 

First Brigade. 

Col. Samuel G. Geiffin. 
6thN. H.; 9thN. H.; 7th R. I. 

Second Brigade. 




BRIG.-GEN. EDWARD FERRERO. 
35th:Mass.; Uth N. H.; 51st N. Y.; 51st Pa. 

Third Brigade. 

Col. Benjamin C. Christ. 

29th'Mass.; 46th N. Y.: 50th Pa. 

ARTILLERY. 

Batfy L, 2d N. Y. Lt. Art'y. Artillery Reserve— Batt'y E, 2d U. S. Art y. 



110 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



i6TH ARMY CORPS. 

(June 30, 18i3. 

FIRST DIVISION. 

13EIG.-GENL W. SOOY SMITH. 

FiKST Bkigade. 

Col. John M. Loomis. 
26th III.; 90th 111.; 12th Ind.; 100th Ind. 

Second Brigade. 

Col. Stephen G. Hicks. 
40th 111.; 103d 111.; 15th Mich.; 40th Ohio. 

Third Brigade. 

Col. Joseph R. Cockerill. 
97th Ind.; 99th Ind.; 53d Ohio; 70th Ohio. 

Fourth Brigade. 

Col. William W. Sanfoed. 

48th 111; 49th 111.; 119th 111.; 0th Iowa. 

ARTILLERY. 

Capt. Wm. Cogswell. 

Batteries F. I and M, 1st 111. Lt. Arty; Cogswell's Batt'y, 111. Lt. Art'y; 6th 
Batt'y Ind. Lt. Art'y. 

CAVALRY. 
Co. B, 7th 111. i 

District Northeast Louisiana. 

BRIG.-GEN'L ELIAS S. DENNIS. 
C3d 111.; 108th 111.; 120th 111.; 131st 111. 

CAVALRY. 
Cos. A, D. G and K, 10th 111. 

Colored Troops. 

Post of Millikins' Bend— Col. Hibam Scofield. ' 
8th La.; 9th La.; 11th La.; 43th La.; 1st Miss.; 3d Miss. 

Post of Goodrich's Landing— Col. Wm. F. Wood. 
1st Ark.; 10th La. 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. Ill 

PEOVISIONAL DIVISION. 

From McPhersons Corps, commanded by GEN. JOHN Mc ARTHUR. 
Composed of the First and Third Brigades of McArthur's Sixth Division, and 
the Second Briga le of Logan s Third Division. 

First Brigade. 

McArthur's Sixth Division. 
Col. Hugh T. Reid. 

Second Brigade. 

Logan's Third Division. 
Col. Manning F. Foece. 

Third Brigade. 

McArthur's Sixth Division. 
Col. William Hall. 

PROVISIONAL DIVISION. 







brig.-gen'l. nathan kimball. 
Engelmann's Brigade. 

Col. Adolph Engelmann. 
4.3d 111.; 61st 111.; 106th 111.; 12th Mich. 

Richmond's Brigade. 

Col. Jonathan Richmond. 
18th 111.; 54th III.; 126th 111.; 22d Ohio. 

Montgomery's Brigade. 

Col. Milton Montgomeet. 

40th Iowa; 3d Minn.; 25th Wis.; 27th Wis. 

ARTILLERY, 
nth Batt'y, Ohio Lt. Arty. 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



113 



APPENDIX C. 




ROSTER 

OF THE 

CONFEDERATE ARMY OPERATING IN THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG, 

May 1st, 1863— July 4th, 1863. 



114 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI AND TENNESSEE, 




OEN'L JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON, Commanding. 



ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 




LIEUTENANT-GENL JOHN C. PEMBERTON. 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBUKG. 



115 



STEVENSON'S DIVISION. 

MA.J.-GEN'L C. L. STEVENSON. 

FiKST Beigade. 

BRIG.-GEN'L SETH M. BARTON. 
40th Ga., Col. Abda Johnson; 41st Ga., Col. W. E. Cuktis. 
42(1 Ga., Col. R. J. Henderson; 52 Ga., Col. C. D. Phillips. 

Second Brigade, 
brig.-gen'l e. d. tracy. 

(Killed at the battle of Port Gibson. May 1.) 

20th Ala., Col. Isham W. Gaeeott; 23d Ala., Col. F. K. Beck. 
30th Ala., Col. C. M. Shelley; 46th Ala., Col. M. L. Woods. 

Third Brigade. 

BRIG.-GENL THOMAS H. TAYLOR. 

57th Ga., Col. Wm. B.iRKULOo; 39th Ga., Col. J. T. McConnell. 

36th Ga., Col. Jesse A. Glenn; 56th Ga., Col. E. P. Watkins. 

34th Ga., Col. J. A. W. Johnson; 43d Tenn., Col. James W. Gillespie. 

Fourth Brigade. 

Col. a. W. Reynolds. 

31st Tenn., Col. W. M. Beadford. (Known as 39th after June C, 1863.) 
59th Tenn., Lieut.-Col. W. L. Eakin. 
3d Tenn., Col. N. J. Lillaed. 

UNATTACHED COMPANIES. 
Waddell's Lt. Batt'y, Capt. James F. Waddell. 
Cherokee Lt. Batt'y, Capt. Max Van D. Cokput. 
Botetourt Lt. Batt'y. Capt. J. W. Johnson. 
3d Md. Batt'y, Capt. F. O. Claiborne. 
Vandyke's Cav'y, Capt. R. S. Vandyke. 



SMITH'S DIVISION. 




MAJ.-GEN L MARTIN L. f»MITH. 



116 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



First Brigade, 
brig.-gex'l w. e. baldwi^j. 

81st La., Col. C. H. Morrison: 17th La., Col. R. Richaedson. 
4th Miss., Col. P. S. Laytox; 4Gth Miss.. Col. C. W. Seaks. 
Co. E, Miss. Lt. Arfy, Capt. Newitt J. Dkew. 
Partisan Rangers, Capt. S. J. Smith. 

Second Brigade. 




BRKi.-OEN L .lOILN ( . VAUGHN. 

79th [60th] Tenn., Col. J. H. Ceawfokd. 
80th KBd] Tenn., Col. John A. Rowan. 
81st [Wst] Tenn., Col. F. E. Pitts. 

Ward's Art'y Batt'y, Maj. M. S. Waed; Co. A, Capt. C. B. Vance; Co. B, Capt. J. 
H. Yates. 

W^ithers' Lt. Art'y, Co. I, Capt. Robeet Bowman. 

Third Brigade. 




BRIG.-GEN'L F. A. SHOUP 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBUKG. 



117 



26th La., Col. W. Hall; 2Tth La., Col. L. D. Marks. 

28th La., Col. Allen Thomas. 

1st La. H'vy Art'y, Col. C. A. Fuller. 

8th La. H'vy Art'y, Ma.t. F. X. Ogden. 

1st Tenn. H'vy Art'y, Col. A. Jackson, Jr. 

22d La. H'vy Art'y, Col. Isaac \V. Patterson. 

Capt. J. P. Lynch's Co. and Capt. J. Johnson's Co. 




FORNEY'S DIVISION. 




MAJ.-GEN'L JOHN H. FORNEY. 



Brig.-Gen'l Louis Hebert's Brigade. 

:M La., Col. F. C. Armstrong. 

3Cth Miss., Col. W. W. Witherspoon; 37th Miss., Col. O. S. Holland. 
38th Miss., Cdl. Preston Brent: 43d Miss., Col. R. Harrison. 
Hogg's [Tenn.] Batt'y, C.iPT. Wm. A. Hogg. 



118 



the siege of vicksbtjrg. 
Tilghman's Brigade. 



'^^xl 





BRIG.-GENL LOYD TILGHMAN. 
(Killed at the battle of Champion Hills, May IGth, 1863. 

20th Miss., Col. D. R. Russell. 

26th Miss., Col. A. E. Reynolds. 

54th Ala. (formerly 60th Ala.), Col. Alpheus Bakee. 

8th Ky.. Col. H. B. Ltov. 

23d Miss., Col. J. M. Wells. 

McLendon's Batt'y. Capt. Jacob Culbeetson (temporarily). 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



119 




BRIG.-GEN'L. JOHN S. BOWEN'S DIVISION. 
First Brigade. 




COL. FRANCIS M. COCKRELL. 

1st Mo., LiEUT.-CoL. A. C. Riley; 3d Mo., Lieut.-Col. F. L. Hubbell. 

2d Mo., Coii. F. M. Cockrell; 4th Mo., Col. A. McFaklanb. 

6th Mo., Col. Eugene Eewin; 5th Mo., Col. James McCown. 

Wade's Batfy, 1st Lieut. Richard C. Walsh. 

Landis' Batfy, Capt. .John C. Landis. 

Guibor's Batt'y, Capt. Henry Guibor. 

Co. a, 1st La. H'vy Art'y, Capt. Jno. B. Grayson. ■ 



120 



the siege of vioksburg. 
Second Brigade. 




BRIG.-GEN'L MARTIN E. GREEN. 

(Killed at Vicksburg, June 27th, 18ti3.) 

1st Mo. Cav. (dismounted), Col. E. Yates. 

3d Mo. Cav. (dismounted), Lieut.-C:l. D. F. Samuel. 

15th Ark., LiEUT.-CoL. W. W. Reynolds. 

19th Ark., Col. D. W. Jones; 21st Ark., Col. J. E. Cravens. 

1st Ark. Cav. (s. s.), Capt. W. S. Catpeeson. 

12th Ark. Inft. (s. s.), Capt. Gkiff Payne. 

Lowe's [Mo.] Batt'y. Capt. Schuylke Lowe. 

Dawson's [Mo.] Batt'y, Capt. Wm. E. Dawson. 

Western Rangers (Cav.), Capt. P. M. Saveky. 

THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT. 

(Headauarters, Port Hudson, La.) 
MAJ.-GEN'L FRANK GARDNER, Commanding. 

Maxey's Brigade, 
brig.-gen'l s. b. maxey. 

42d Tenn., Lieut.-Col. Isaac N. Hulme. 
5.3d Tenn., Capt. H. H. Aymett. 

lffi?^Z; [COL.A.J.BBOWN. 

48th Tenn.. CoL. W. M. Vooehies; 49th Tenn., Col. J. E. Bailey. 
4th La., Col. S. E. Huntee; 30th La.. Maj. C. J. Bell. 
Batt'n [Texas] Sharpshooters, Maj. James Buenett. 
Fenner's [La.] Lt. Batt'y, Capt. C. E. Fennek. 
Roberts' [Miss.J Lt. Batt'y, Capt. Calvit Robebts. 

Beall's Brigade, 
brig.-gen'l w. n. r. beall. 

11th Ark. (c). Col. John L. Logan. 
17th Ark. (c), Col. John Griffith. 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



121 



14th Ark. (d), Col. F. P. Powees; 18th Ark.; (d). Col. 11. H. Crockett. 

23d Ark. (d). Col. O. P. Lyles; 1.5th Ark. (e). Col. B. M. Johnson. 

ICth Ark. (e), Col. David Provence. 

1st [8th] Batt. (e.i, Lieut.-Col. Baet Jones. 

12tli Ark.. Col. T. J. Keid. 

ic) Consolidated, and commanded by Col. Logan. 

(d) Consolidated, and commanded l)y Col. O. P. Lyles. 

(e) Consolidated, and commanded by Col. B. W. Johnson. 
1st Miss., Col. J. M. Simo^ton: S'.ith Miss., Col. W. B. Shelby. 
Co. B, 1st Miss. Lt. Art'y (Withers' Art'y), Capt. A J. Heeod. 
Co. F, 1st Miss. Lt. Art'y (Withers' Art'y), Capt. J. L. Beadfoed. 
Co. K, 1st Miss. Lt. Art'y (Withers' Art'y). Capt. Geo. F. Abbay. 

Gregg's Brigade. 

BRIG.-GEN'L JOHN GREGG. 
7th Texas, Maj. K. M. Vanzandt; 3d Tenn. (g), Col. C. H. Walkee. 
10th Tenn. (gt, Col. R. W. McGavock; 3tith Tenn. (g). Lieut.-Col. J. J. Tuenek. 
41st Tenn. (h). Col. R. Faequhaeson; 50th Tenn. (h), Col. C. A. Sugg. 
.5lst Tenn. (h). Co. G., Capt. John G. Hall; 1st Tenn. Batt'y (h), Maj. S. H. Colms. 
Oth La. Batt'y, Capt. H. M. Bledsoe. 
Brook Haven Batt'y, Capt. James A. Hoskins. 

(g) Consolidated, and commanded by Col. MacGaeock. 

(h) Consolidated, and commanded by Lieut.-Col. Beaumont. 

Eust's Brigade, 
brig.-gen'l albert rust. 

12th La., Col. T. M. Scott; 9th Ark., Col. Isaac L. Dunlop. 

15th Miss., Lieut.-Col. J. R. Binfoed; Oth Miss., Col. R. Lowky. 

3.5th Ala., Lieut.-Col. Ed. Goodwin. 

1st Confederate Batt'y, Maj. G. H. Fceney. 

Hudson's Batt'y, Lieut.-Col. J. R. Iovancy. 

Co. A, Point Coupie Art'y, Lirut. Chaeles L. Il«ley. 

Co. C, Point Coupie Art'y, Capt. Alexandeb Chubst. 

Bufoed's Brigade. 




BRIG.-GEN L A. B. BUFORD. 



122 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 

3d Ky., Col. A. P. Thompson; rth Ky., Col. Ed. Crossland. 

10th Ark., Col. A. E. Witt; 49th Ala., Col. J. Edwakds. 

27th Ala., Col. James Jacksox. 

4th [lOth] Ala. Batt'n (i), Lieut.-Col. John Snodgrass. 

tJth Ala. Batt'n, Major J. H. Norwood. 

Watson Batt'y, Lieut. E. A. Toledano. 

HEAVY ARTILLERY. 

1st Ala. Reg't, Col. J. G. W. Steedman. 

12th La. Batt'y. 1st Tenn. Batt'y, Lieut.-Col. P. F. DeGournay. 

9th Tenn. Batt'y, Lieut.-Col. G. Gantt. 

Hughes' Batt'y, Lieut.-Col. C. C. Wilburn. 

Stoekdale's Co. (j); Cage's Co. (j). 

Daigri's Co. (j); Terrell's Co. (j): Bryant's (j). 

(j) Consolidated, and commanded by Lieut.-Col. Snodgrass. 
9th La. Batt'y, Col. J. H. Wingfield. 
Garland's [Miss.J Batt'y, Maj. W. H. Garland. 
Rhodes' [Miss.] Co. (K). Capt. T. C. Rhodes. 
Herrin's Co. (C); Lester's Co. (I). 

(k) Maj. Garland, commanding. 

(1) Lieut.-Col. Miller, commanding. 



FOUETH MILITARY DIVISION. 

(Headquarters: Jackson, Miss.) 
BRIG.-GEN'L JOHN ADAMS, Commanding. 

Third Brigade. 

(Mississippi State Troops.) 

BRIG.-GEN'L J. L. GEORGE. 

14th Miss. Reg't, Col. G. W. Abert. 

1st Batt'n Choctaw Indians, Maj. J. W. Pierce. 

1st Batt'n Miss. State Troops, Maj. W. B. Harper. 

Bolen's Cav. Co., Capt. J. N. Bolen. 

Terry's Cav. Co.. Capt. B. D. Terry. 

Co. C, 15th Miss., Capt. P. H. Norton. 

FIRST MILITARY DISTRICT. 

(Headquarters at Columbus, Miss.) 

BRIG.-GEN'L DANIEL RUGGLES, Commanding. 

Rice's Tenn. Heavy Art'y, Capt. T. W. Rice. 

Thrall's Ark. Lt. Art'y, Capt. J. C. Thrall. 

Owens' Ark. Lt. Art'y, Capt. J. A. Owens. 

13th Batt'n Ala. Partisan Rangers, Maj. W. A. Hewlett. 

3d Batt'n Miss. State Troops, Lieut.-Col. T. A. Burgin. 

.5th Reg't Miss. State Troops, Col. H. C. Robinson. 

Gillelyn's Miss. Cav. (State Troopsj, Capt. D. C. Gillelyn. 

Martin's Cav. Co. Capt. W. C. Martin. 

Johnson's Cav. Co., Capt. J. E. Johnson. 

2d Tenn. Cav., Lieut.-Col. C. R. Bartearn. 

Warren's (Miss.) P. R., Capt. Isham I. Warren. 



THE SIEGE OF AICKSBURG. 



123 



Moore's Brigade. 

BRICt.-GEN'L JOHN C. MOORE. 

35th Miss., Col. W. S. Baekt: 42d Ala., Col. John W. Poetis. 

2d Texas, Col. Ashbel Smith; 40th Miss.. Col. W. B. Colbert. 

37th Ala., Col. James F. Dowdell; Bledsoe's Batty, Capt. H. M. Bledsoe. 

Pioneer Co., Col. Laun: Tobin's Batfy, Capt. T. F. Tobin. 

Section Point Coupie Arfy, Capt. Davidson. 

Sengstake's Batfy, Capt. Henky H. Sengstake. 

McNally's Batfy, Capt. McNallt. 

Section Point Coupie Arfy, Lieut. Jeff J. Thompson. 

Waul's Tex. Legion, Lieut.-Col. Leonidas Willis. 

Adams' Cavalry, Col. Wirt Adams. 

1st [7th] Tenn. Cav.. Col. J. G. Stocks. 




124 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBUEG. 




BRIG.-GEN'L STEPHEN D. LEE. 

Commanding Brigade, Siege of Vicksburg. 




BRIG.-GEN'L W. S. FEATHERSTONE. 
Commanding Brigade in Gen. Loring's Division. 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



125 



APPENDIX D. 



EUNNING THE BATTERIES. 




ADMIRA.L DAVID D. POKTER, 

(Commanding the Mississippi Saiiadron.) 



U. S. GRANT'S OFFICIAL REPORT. 



"The successful performance of this clifticult and dangerous task 
was one of the most brilHant operations of the war. On the 
16th of April, Admiral Porter was ready to make the first at- 
tempt. In this three transports were used — the Forest Queen, 
Henry Clay and Silver Wave — which were loaded with supplies, 
and their machinery protected by bales of cotton and hay. To- 
gether with these, eight gunboats, all iron-clad except one, and 
all further protected with cotton and hay bales, formed the little 
fleet to make the first trial, which took place at night. The 
gunboats were to proceed in single file, engaging the enemy's 
batteries if discovered and fired upon, while the transports were 



126 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG, 




Passing the Batteries at Vicksburg. 

to try and slip down the stream, under the cover of the smoke, 
between the gunboats and the opposite bank. It was between 
ten and eleven o'clock at night when they came around the bend of 
the river, and for a short time they supposed they were going to 
slip by unnoticed ; but all of a sudden two sharp and brilliant lines 
of fire gave the signal, and in an instant the whole length of the 
bluff was ablaze with the lurid flames of cannon. The gunboats 
returned the fire bravely, and in an hour and a quarter the bat- 
teries were passed. The damage done was as follows : The Forest 
Queen had received a shot through her steam-drum, but was 
towed safely past, and soon repaired. The Henry Clay was the 
worst sufferer ; her protection of cotton bales was set on fire, 
and she was abandoned, a blazing wreck, to float at the mercy of 
the stream. The fire of the gunboats so intimidated the batteries 
at Warrenton, that they scarcely responded. 

"Inspired by this success, six more transports were got ready, 
towing twelve barges loaded with forage and rations ; and these 
were run by on the night of the 22d of April, from Milliken's Bend, 
and five of them succeeded in arriving below Vicksburg, but in a 
somewhat damaged condition, as follows: Ticp-css, Anglo-Saxon, 
Chesseman, Empire City, Horizona, and Moderator. The Tigress 
received a shot in her hull below the water line, and sunk on the 
Louisiana shore soon after passing the last of the batteries. 
With the exception of the Forest Queen, Captain D. Conway, and 
the Silver Wave, Captain McMillen, the crews were composed of 



THE SIEGE OF VICK8BUEG. 



127 



volunteers. [Upon the call for volunteers to run these transports, 
officers and men presented themselves in numbers sufficient to 
run a hundred transports, caring but little for the dangerous 
enterprise.] Six out of the twelve barges loaded with forage and 
rations sent in tow of the last six boats, got through in a condi- 
tion to be used. 

"It is a striking feature, so far as my observation goes, of the 
present volunteer army of the United States, that there is nothing 
which men are called upon to do, mechanical or professional, 
that accomplished adepts cannot be found for the duty required, 
in almost every regiment." 




Digging a canal across the peninsula on 
the^ouisiana side of the river, in order to 
carry the army and supplies below Vicks- 
burg, but which proved a failure. Lo- 
cated by Brigadier-General Williams. 



128 



THE SIEGE OP VICKSBURO. 




THE SIEGE OF VICKSBUKG. 



129 




—9 



130 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



APPENDIX E 



Losses Sustained in the Operations Against Vicksburg, from 
May 1, 1863, to July 4, 1863. 



UNION FORCES, 





Killed. 


Wounded. 


Missing. 


Total. 


Port Gibson, May 1 . . . 

Kaymond, May 12 

Jackson, May 14 .... 

Champion Hill, May 16. 

Big Black R'y. Bridge, 

May 17 


130 
73 
40 

426 

29 

245 


718 

365 

240 

1,842 

242 

3,688 


5 
32 

6 

189 

• 2 
303 


853 

470 

286 

2,460 

273 


Siege, May 19 to July 4. 


4,536 


Total 


943 


7,095 


537 


8,878 







confederate forces. 

One Lieutenant-General, John C. Pemberton, late Commander 
of the Army in Vicksburg. 

Nineteen Major and Brigadier-Generals. 

Forty-six thousand four hundred and twenty killed, wounded, 
stragglers and prisoners. 

Ninety siege guns. 

One hundred and twenty field pieces. 

Thirty-five thousand muskets and rifles. 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 131 



APPENDIX F. 



CONFEDEEATE ORDEKS. 



Headquarters Smith's Division, 
VicKSBURG, Miss., May 24th, 1863. 

General: — Maj.-Gen'l Smith directs that yon order the offi- 
cers commanding the pickets to collect all the ammunition 
scattered in front of the trenches, and in the cartridge hoxes of 
the enemy's dead, paying particular attention to the percussion 
caps ; and that if the picket force is not sufficient you detail 
additional men for this purpose. 

I am, General, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

John G. Devereux, 

A.A.G. 
Brig.-Gen'l Vaughn,"' 

Commanding 2d Brigade. 



Headquarters Smith's Division, 
VicKSBURG, Miss., May 25th, 1863. 

General : — Should the enemy accept Gen'l Pemberton's pro- 
position to suspend hostilities until they can bury their dead, no 
officer will be allowed to approach our lines ; and at or near 
points they have assaulted, the bodies will be carried away and 
delivered by our men. 

By command of 

Major-General M. L. Smith, 

John G. Devereux, 

A. A. G. 
Brig.-Gen'l Vaughn, 

Commanding 2d Brigade. 



132 tbe siegk of vicksburg. 

Division Headquarters, 
ViCKSBURG, Miss., May 25tli, 1863. 

General: — A flag of truce regarding the burial of the enemy's 
dead has been sent by General Pemberton, who directs that 
should they cease firing along their lines, there will be no firing 

along ours. 

Respectfully, etc., 

M. L. Smith, 
Major-General. 
Gen'l Vaughn, 

Commanding 2d Brigade. 

The ofiicers in command of troops in this Brigade will conform 
strictly with the accompanying order. 

By order of Brig. -Gen'l Vaughn, 

John Toland, 

A. A. A. G. 



Headquarters Smith's Division, 

ViCKSBURG, Miss., 29 May, 1863. 

General: — Major-Gen'l Smith instructs me to inform you of 

the probability of a general assault to-night on all points, and to 

direct you to hold yourself in readiness to meet the same by 

cautioning the troops and requiring the pickets to be specially 

watchful. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

John G. Deveeeux, 

A.A.G. 
Brig. -Gen'l J. C. Vaughn, 

Commanding 2d Brigade. 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBUEG. 



133 



APPENDIX G. 



Eeminiscences of the Third Louisl\na (Confederate) Infantry 
IN THE Trenches in front of Logan's Division. 



By W. H. TUNNARD. 




The regiment was placed near the 
centre of the Jine, on the left of the 
Jackson road, as it emerges from a 
deep cut through a hill. On the 
right of the road were the Twenty- 
first and Twenty -second Louisiana 
regiments, consolidated, and on their 
left the Mississippi regiments, com- 
prising the remainder of Hebert's 
Brigade. General Hebert informed the men that they held the 
key to the city, on the most exposed portion of the line. The 
regiment responded that they would sustain their blood-earned 
reputation, justify the confidence reposed in their bravery, and 
perish to a man ere they would relinquish their position to a 
million foes. The enemy, in front of the Third regiment, were 
slowly but surely contracting their lines, and the fire of their 
sharpshooters was particularly accurate and deadly. Their bat- 
teries concentrated their fire on every one of our guns that opened 
on their lines, and speedily dismounted them. It was a fool- 
hardy piece of business to expose the least portion of the person 
above the breastworks, as a hundred rifles immediately directed 
their missiles upon the man thus showiog himself. In conversa- 
tion with the enemy (then a common occurrence, from the prox- 
imity of the lines), a member of Company E, by the name of 
Masterton, a Missourian of huge dimension, and familiarly 
known in the regiment as "Shanghai," found some acquaint- 
ances, and was invited into the enemy's lines, with the assurance 



134 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBUKG. 

that he would be allowed to return. The invitation was immedi- 
ately accepted, and he trusted himself to the honor of the foe. 
He was cordially welcomed, and all the delicacies and substan- 
tials which the Federals possessed in such profusion were 
furnished him. After a feast, accompanied with a sociable chat 
and several drinks, he was permitted to return, very favorably 
impressed with the generosity of the Yankees. The evening 
chats, after the day's deadly sharpshooting, revealed the fact 
that there were members of both armies who were personally 
acquainted, and, in' one instance, two members of the Third 
regiment found a brother in the regiment opposed to them. 

The report of a single gun within the breastworks was the signal 
for a concentrated fire of the enemy's batteries, which poured a 
perfect storm of shot and shell upon the fated point, resulting, 
usually, in the destruction of the battery, and killing and wound- 
ing numbers of the artillerymen. No less than five cannoniers 
were shot in an attempt to apply a lighted fuse to the vent of a 
loaded gun. Nearly all the artillery along the lines was dis- 
mounted by the furious bombardment of the 2'2d. General Grant . 
sent in a flag of truce, asking permission to bury his dead, which 
were lying unburied in thick profusion outsile of the intrench- 
ments, where the enemy had assaulted the lines. General Pember- 
ton refused to grant the request, replying that the battle was not 
yet decided. The enemy commenced undermining our parapet, 
with the intention of blowing it up. As the sound of their voices 
could be distinctly heard, our brave boys began to annoy them 
by hurhng upon them every species of deadly missile which 
human ingenuity could invent. 12-pounder shells were dropped 
over the breastworks among them, and kegs filled with powder, 
shells, nails and scraps of iron. A more deadly, vindictive and 
determined species of warfare was never waged. The chief aim 
of both combatants seemed to be concentrated in the invention 
of apparatus for taking human life. In the afternoon of May 
2oth, a flag of truce was sent into the lines, requesting a cessation 
of hostilities for the purpose of burying the dead, and the request 
was granted for three hours. 

Now commenced a strange spectacle in this thrilling drama of 
war. Flags were displayed along both lines, and the troops 
thronged the breastworks, gaily chatting with each other ; dis- 
cussing the issues of the Wcir ; disputing over difl'erences of 
opinion, losses in the fights, etc. Numbers of the Confederates 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 135 

accepted invitations to visit the enemy's lines, where they were 
hospitably entertained and warmly welcomed. They were abun- 
dantly supplied with provisions and supplies of various kinds. 

Of course, there were numerous laughable and interesting in- 
cidents resulting from these visits. The foe were exultant, confi- 
dent of success, and in high spirits ; the Confederates defiant, 
undaunted in soul, and equally well assured of a successful 
defense. The members of the Third Eegiment found numerous 
acquaintances and relatives among the Ohio, Illinois and Mis- 
souri regiments, and there were mutual regrets that the issues of 
the war had made them antagonistic in a deadly struggle. 
Captain F. Gallagher, the worthy commissary of the regiment, 
had been enjoying the hospitalities of a Yankee officer, imbibing 
his fine liquors and partaking of his choice viands, and as they 
separated, the Federal remarked: "Good day. Captain ; I trust 
we shall meet soon again in the Union of old." Captain G., with 
a peculiar expression on his pleasant face, and an extra side 
poise of his head, quickly replied : "I can not return your senti- 
ment. The only union which you and I will enjoy, I hope, will 
be in kingdom come ; good bye, sir." At the expiration of the 
appointed time, the men were all back in their places. The 
stilhiess which had superseded the uproar of battle seemed strange 
and unnatural. The hours of peace had scarcely expired ere 
those who had so lately intermingled in friendly intercourse were 
once again engaged in the deadly struggle. Heavy mortars, 
artillery of every calibre, and small arms, once more with 
thunder-tones awakened the slumbering echoes of the hills sur- 
rounding the heroic city of Vicksburg. The constant daily fight- 
ing, night work, and disturbed rest, began to exhibit their effects 
on the men. They were physically worn out and much reduced 
in flesh. Kations began to be shortened, and for the first time 
(May 30) a mixture of ground peas and meal was issued. This 
food was very unhealthy, as it was almost impossible to thoroughly 
bake the mixture so that pea-Hour and meal would be fit for con- 
sumption. Yet these deficiencies were heroically endured, and 
the men succeeded, by an ingenious application of the culinary 
art, in rendering this unwholesome food palatable, calling the 
dish "cush-cush." .June 4th, the rations furnished each man 
was : Peas, one-third of a pound ; meal, two-thirds to five-sixths 
of a pound ; beef, one-half of a pound, including in the weight 
bones and shanks ; sugar, lard, soap and salt in like proportions. 



136 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 

On this day all surplus provisions in the city were seized, and 
rations issued to citizens and soldiers alike. To the perils of the 
siege began now to be added the prospects of famine. The gaunt 
skeleton of starvation commenced to appear among the ranks of 
the brave defenders. 

It seems wonderful that human endurance could withstand the 
accumulated horrors of the situation. Living on this slender 
allowance, fighting all day in the hot summer's sun, and at night, 
with pick-axe and spade, repairing the destroyed portions of the 
line, it passed all comprehension how the men endured the trying 
ordeal. 

The city was rife with rumors (June 6), among which was the 
report of Johnston approaching with succor. The story almost 
gained credence by the report of cannon being heard toward Big 
Black. The welcome sounds were received with shouts along the 
whole line. Long, anxiously, eagerly, had the men been listening 
for the welcome signal, and now felt as if relief had assuredly 
come. Ah ! on what a slender thread does an expectant soul 
hang its feeble hopes ! 

The Federals procured a car-frame, which they placed on 
wheels, loading it with cotton bales. They pushed this along the 
Jackson road, in front of the breastworks held by the Third regi- 
ment. Protected by this novel, movable shelter, they constructed 
their works with impunity, and with almost the certainty of 
eventually reaching our intrenchments. Bifles had no effect on 
the cotton bales, and there was not a single piece of artillery to 
batter them down. They were not a hundred yards from the regi- 
ment, and the men could only quietly watch their operations, and 
anxiously await the approaching hand-to-hand struggle. There 
was no shrinking or quailing ; danger had long since ceased to 
cause any fear, and fighting was a recreation and pastime with 
the majority of the men. Exploding shells and whistling bullets 
attracted but little notice. Even death had become so familiar, 
that the fall of a comrade was looked upon with almost stoical 
indifference — eliciting, perhaps, a monosyllabic expression of 
pity, and most generally the remark, " I wonder who will be the 
next one." Men are not naturally indifferent to danger, nor 
do their hearts usually exhibit such stoical indifference to 
human agony and suffering; yet the occurrence of daily scenes 
of horror and bloodshed through which they passed, the shadow 
of the angel of death constantly hovering over them, made them 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 137 

undisturbed spectators of every occurrence, making the most of 
to-day, heedless of the morrow. Though constantly threatened 
with death, they pursued with eagerness limited occasions for 
amusement. The song and jest went around, fun actually being 
coined from the danger which some comrade escaped, or attempted 
to nimbly dodge. 

The movable breastwork in front of the intrenchments of the 
Third Louisiana, became a perfect annoyance to the regiment, 
and various plans were proposed for its destruction, only to be 
declared unavailable. Some of the men actually proposed to 
make a raid on it and set it on fire, a plan which would have 
been the height of madness. 

Lieutenant W. M. Washburn, of Company B, loaded a rifle, 
and fired a ball of cotton and turpentine into the hated object. 
Another and another blazing missile was sent on the mission of 
destruction, with apparently no satisfactory results, and the at- 
tempt was abandoned amid a general disappointment. The men, 
save those on guard, sought repose, and all the line became com- 
paratively quiet. Suddenly some one exclaimed, "I'll be d d 

if that thing isn't on fire!" The whole regiment was soon stir- 
ring about, like a hive of disturbed bees. Sure enough, smoke 
was seen issuing from the dark mass. The inventive genius of 
Lieutenant Washburn had proved a complete success, and the 
tire, which had smouldered in the dense mass of cotton, was 
about bursting forth. The men seized their rifles, and five com- 
panies were immediately detailed to keep up a constant and 
rap d fire over the top and at each end of the blazing mass, to 
prevent the enemy from extinguishing the flames. The Yankees 
could not understand how their movable breastwork was thus 
given to destruction under their very eyes. 

June 11th, the enemy in front of the Third Louisiana 
planted two ten-inch Columbiads, scarcely a hundred yards dis- 
tant from the lines. These terrible missiles, with their heavy 
scream and tremendous explosion, somewhat startled the boys, 
being a new and unexpected feature in the siege, and necessarily 
increasing the already accumulated danger of their situation. 
After knocking the breastworks to pieces, and exhibiting their 
force and power, the enemy commenced a systematic method of 
practice, so as to make the shells deadly missiles of destruction. 
The siege-guns were particularly destructive, especially among 
the right companies of the regiment. Our troops succeeded in 



138 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 

getting a mortar in position, in a ravine in the rear of the line of 
fortifications, and opened on the Yankees in the evening. As 
the shell marked its graceful curve in the air, and suddenly fell 
into the enemy's lines, the troops cheered most vociferously. 
They enjoyed, to the fullest extent, the astonishment and con- 
sternation of the Yankees. But a few shells, however, were fired 
ere the enemy concentrated upon the point whence came the 
dangerous missiles, the fire of every gun within easy range pour- 
ing such a storm of shell upon the offending mortar as caused 
its speedy abandonment. It was almost certain death to remain 
in its vicinity. This mortar was used only a short time, and 
then the attempt to render it effective given up. 

June 17th, another columbiad opened on the regiment at close 
range, and the enemy's lines were now so near, that scraps of 
paper could be thrown by the combatants into each others ranks. 
Thus, a Yankee threw a "hard-tack" biscuit among the men of 
the regiment, having written on it the word "starvation." The 
visitor was immediately returned, indorsed as follows : "Forty 
days' rations, and no thanks to you." The Vicksburg "Whig" 
published an extra, containing a few items concerning the siege 
of Port Hudson. This paper, published at intervals, was priated 
on one side of wall paper. It was very small, and a great curi- 
osity in the way of a relic. It was decidedly an* "illustrated" 
sheet, but not exactly after the style of "Frank Leslie" and 
" Harper's" pictorials. 

June 28th, orders were issued to select the finest and fattest 
mules within the lines, and slaughter them, for the purpose of 
issuing their flesh as food to the troops ; a half pound per man 
was the ration of this new species of flesh. Several Spaniards 
belonging to the Texas regiments were busily occupied in jerking 
this meat for future consumption. This meat was also supplied 
to the citizens from the market, and sold for fifty cents a pound. 
Mule flesh, if the animal is in good condition, is coarse-grained 
and darker than beef, but really delicious, sweet and juicy. 
Besides this meat, traps were set for rats, which were consumed 
in such numbers that ere the termination of the siege, they act- 
ually became a scarcity. Hunger will demoralize the most 
fastidious tastes, and quantity, not quality of food, becomes the 
great desideratum. The author made a hearty breakfast on fried 
rats, whose flesh he found very good. 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 139 

June 29tli found the enemy once more undermining the works 
held by the Third Louisiana Infantry, and the men went spirit- 
edly at work digging a counter mine. The laborers were so near 
each other that the strokes of the pickaxes could be distinctly 
heard, as well as the sound of the voices. Thus the deadly 
struggle went on, the brave boys never once dreaming of despair- 
ing or giving up, although fighting over a volcano which at any 
moment might burst forth and engulf them in a general ruin. 
The Federal sharpshooters very impudently wished to know 
how we liked mule meat, proving conclusively that they were 
constantly informed of every event which occurred within the 
lines. Their question, however, was responded to in not very 
flattering or complimentary language. At 2 p. m. the enemy ex- 
ploded the mine beneath the works occupied by the Third Louis- 
iana Infantry. A huge mass of earth suddenly, and with tre- 
mendous force and a terrific explosion, flew upwards, descending 
with mighty power upon the gallant defenders, burying numbers 
beneath its falling fragments, bruising and mangling them most 
horribly. It seemed as if all hell had suddenly yawned upon the 
devoted band, and vomited forth its sulphurous fire and smoke 
upon them. The regiment, at this time, was supported by the 
First, Fifth and Sixth Missouri Infantry, and upwards of a 
hundred were killed and wounded. Numl)er8 were shocked and 
bruised, but not sufficiently to more than paralyze them for 
a few moments. The scene that followed beggared description. 
At first there was a general rush to escape the huge mass of de- 
scending earth. Then the survivors, without halting to inquire 
who had fallen, hastened to the immense gap in the works to 
repel the anticipated assault. The enemy, taught by a dearly- 
bought experience, made no attempt to enter the opening, not 
daring to assault the intrepid defenders. An immense number 
of 12-pound shells, thrown from wooden mortars, by the Yan- 
kees, descended among the troops, doing fearful execution. 

July 2d, provisions were very scarce, and murmurs of dis- 
content began to be heard, but only among a few, whose patriot- 
ism and devotion gave way under the accumulating horrors and 
the gnawings of hunger. The majority of the troops were as 
eager as ever, undaunted and unconquered as when the enemy 
first appeared, expresssing a willingness and determination to 
hold the place as long as a mouthful of anything eatable re- 
mained to sustain life. It was the hour that tried the souls of 



140 THR SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 

men. A few fleeting days must determine for succor and free- 
dom, or defeat and capture. Provisions were becoming a rarity, 
and mule flesh was freely issued and ravenously devoured. The 
approaching national anniversary was looked forward to as a day 
of fearful strife. The boys laughingly inquired, " We wonder 
who will be the best satisfied with the grand celebration ?" 

The guns on the peninsula poured a rapid fire on the city, the 
100-pounder Parrots doing terrible execution on the buildings. 
Our batteries were very quiet. The question was frequently pro- 
pounded, in view of an expected surrender, " Why not expend 
our large supply of ammunition in firing upon the enemy, rather 
than permit it to pass into their hands, to swell the list of their 
captures?" Echo questioned, "Why?" 

July 3d a flag of truce went out to the enemy's lines, and ru- 
mors began to prevail that the place was about to be surrendered. 
The brave garrison indignantly denied such a contingency, yet 
scarcely knew what to believe. Affairs looked very gloomy. 

July 4th, a day memorable in the annals of x\merican history, 
was destined once again to be made memorable as a day both of 
rejoicing and humiliation to those who had besieged and defended 
Vicksburg. Early in the day it became known that negotiations 
were pending for the surrender of the Southern stronghold. A 
perfect storm of indignation burst forth among the troops. 
What ! surrender, and that, too, on the 4th of July, above all 
other days ? Impossible ! Alas ! it became too true ! The fol- 
lowing order was promulgated : 

Headquarters, Forney's Division, 
July 4th, 1863. 

I am directed by Lieutenant-General commanding to inform 
you that the terms for the capitulation of Vicksburg and garrison 
have been completed, and are as follows : 

The officers and men will be paroled at once, retaining then- 
private baggage ; commissioned ofticers their side-arms, and 
mounted ofticers one horse each. 

At ten o'clock A. M. to-day, each brigade will be marched out 
in front of its respective position, stacking arms; it will then 
return, and bivouac in rear of the trenches until the necessary 
rolls can be completed. You will please state to your troops that 
these terms are concurred in by the general of&cers, and you will 
caution your men not to avoid being paroled, as it is to their 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 141 

advantage to have their papers properly made out. So soon as 
the order is received you will cause white flags to be displayed 
along your lines. 

I am, General, very respectfully, 

Your obediant servant, 

J. H. Forney, 
Official : Major-General Commandinc/. 

W. D. Hardiman, a. a. G. 

The receipt of this order was the signal for a fearful outburst 
of anger and indignation seldom witnessed. The members of the 
Third Louisiana Infantry expressed their feeling in curses loud 
and deep. Many broke their trusty rifles against the trees, 
scattered the ammunition over the ground where they had so 
long stood bRttling bravely and unflinchingly against overwhelm- 
ing odds. In many instances the battle-worn flags were torn 
into shreds, and distributed among the men as a precious and 
sacred memento that they were no party to the surrender. The 
Federals who marched into the place had more the appearance of 
being vanquished than the unarmed Confederates, who gazed 
upon them with folded arms and in stern silence, a fierce defiance 
on their bronzed features, and the old battle fire gleaming in their 
glittering eyes. Daring all the events of the surrender, not one 
had been seen, and afterward no word of exultation was uttered 
to irritate the feelings of the prisoners. On the contrary, every 
sentinel who came upon post brought haversacks filled with pro- 
visions, which he would give to some famished Southerner, with 
the remark, "Here, reb., I know you are starved nearly to death." 

scenes after toe surrender. 

During the siege of Vicksburg, there was a class of non-com- 
batants who distinguished themselves in a marked manner. These 
were the speculators, embracing nearly every merchant within 
the limits of the city, without distinction of nationality. These 
bloodsuckers had the audacity to hold their goods at such prices 
that it was an utter impossibility to obtain anything for them. 
Four hundred dollars was the price of a barrel of flour; coffee 
was ten dollars per pound, and everything else in like proportion. 
Some of these worse than villains, refused to sell to the soldiers 
at any price, and, consequently, were not objects of special love 
by the brave men. 



142 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 

When the Federal soldiers entered the city they mingled freely 
with the Confederates, and expressed their sympathy with their 
deplorable situation by every possible means in their power. 
They were now no longer deadly combatants, but mortals of 
similar feelings. A retributive justice speedily descended upon 
the speculators, as the Federals broke open their stores, com- 
pletely plundering them. The Southerners looked on this work 
of destruction with feelings akin to satisfaction, and felt as if a 
portion of their wrongs were avenged. 

Wines, for which the sick had pined in vain, were brought to 
light ; luxuries of various kinds were found in profusion. The 
Federals brought them into the streets, and throwing them down, 
would shout, "Here, rebs., help yourselves, you are naked and 
starving and need them." What a strange spectacle of war be- 
tween those who were so recently deadly foes ! Such generosity 
was no rarity, and softened down much of the deadly animosity 
and bitter feelings experienced by the vanquished for their foes. 
Many found friends and relatives, and the Third regiment had 
more than its share among the Federal troops. 

Aside from the speculators, was a class of citizens in Yicksburg 
who did their duty nobly. Let it be known, everywhere written 
in ineffaceable characters upon the pages of history; traced with 
golden letters upon the scroll of Time ; stamped with an indelible 
impression upon every manly Southern heart, that the ladies of 
Vicksburg were as true as steel, charitable to a fault upon every 
occasion, where their services were needed. Flitting like min- 
istering angels about the hospitals, giving aid and comfort to the 
sick and wounded ; hovering with tearful eyes over the dying 
soldier ; treading their way along the torn-up streets, amid the 
screum of shot and shell, and the storm of descending iron, on 
missions of love and mercy, they exhibited a heroism and de- 
votion beyond portrayal by human language. 

July 5th, rations for five days were issued to the Confederates 
from the Commissariat of the Federals. These rations consisted 
of bacon, hominy, peas, coffee, sugar, soap, salt, candles and 
crackers. How the famished troops enjoyed such bounteous 
supplies it is needless to state. For once the brave boys were 
the objects of their enemy's charity. They grew jovial and 
hilarious over the change in their condition. The Yankees came 
freely among them, and were unusually kind. They asked in- 
numerable questions, and were horrified at the fact of the men 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 143 

eating mules and rats, and openly expressed their admiration 
for the unfaltering bravery of the Confederates. 

On the 7th, the work of paroling commenced. The men were 
paroled separately, and subscribed to the following oath : 

ViCKSBURG, Miss., July 7, 1863. 
To all ivhom it may concern: 

Know ye, that I, , a private. Company , 

Kegiment, Volunteers, C. S. A. being a prisoner of 



war in the hands of the United States forces, in virtue of the 
capitulation of the City of Vicksburg and its garrison by Lieu- 
tenant-General John C. Pemberton, C. S. A., commanding on 
the 4th day of July, 1863, do, in pursuance of the terms of said 
capitulation, give this day my solemn parole, under oath : 

That I will not take up arms again against the United States, 
nor serve in any military, police or constabulary force in any 
port, garrison or field-work held by the Confederate States of 
America, against the United States of America, nor a guard of 
prisons, depots or stores, nor discharge any duties usually per- 
formed by officers or soldiers, against the United States of Amer- 
ica, until duly exchanged by the proper authorities. 

Sworn to and subscribed before me, at Vicksburg, Miss., this 
7th day of July, 1863. 

John 0. Duer, 

Captain 40th Illinois Regiment, and Paroling Officer. 

At 11:30 o'clock A. M. July 11th, the army bade a final adieu 
to Vicksburg. They marched out of their stronghold with a 
proud step, and a stern defiance on their faces. The roadsides 
and embankments were crowded with Federals, to take a fare- 
well glance at the troops who had fought them so stubbornly and 
desperately. Not a word of exultation or an outburst of any feel- 
ing was so manifested by the foe. Honoring the heroic garrison 
for their bravery, they would not add to the humiliation of their 
surrender by a single taunt. As the Third Regiment passed out 
of the works which they had defended with such obstinate 
bravery, they saw a large detail actively engaged in filling up the 
approaches which they had dug to the intrenchments occupied by 
the regiment. The old spirit of defiance broke forth in words, as 
they witnessed the scene. "Oh ! yes," said one, "shovel dirt, d — n 



144 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 

you ; it is all you are good for. You can do that better than 
fighting," "Dry up," retorted a Federal, "you rebels have grown 
wonderful sassy on Uncle Sam's grub." It was a home-thrust, 
and the boys journeyed by in silence. 



SONGS. 



The men often indulged their propensity for song- writing, and 
if their productions did not exhibit splendid poetical talent, the 
sentiments of these songs manifested the spirit which animated 
them, their reckless disregard to danger, and their propensity to 
make mirth out of their sufferings. It was no unusual occur- 
rence to hear, amid the battle's fierce din, the choruses of these 
songs shouted forth with stentorian voices, or their strains at 
night softly floating away over the intrenchments on the quiet air. 

In the following pages are given a few of these songs, which 
fell into the hands of the author after the surrender of Vicksburg : 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



145 




A LIFE ON THE VICKSBUKG HILL. 



By a. Dalsheimer, Co. K, Thikd Louisiana Regiment. 



—10 



Aik: "Life on the Ocean Wave." 

A life on the Vicksburg hills, 
A home in the trenches deep, 

A dodge from the Yankee shells. 

And the old pea-bread won't keep. 

The bread— the bread— 
And the old pea-bread won't keep. 

Like a rebel caged I pine, 

And I dodge when the cannons roar; 
But give me corn dodgers and swine, 

And I'll stay foi-ever more. 

Once more in the trench I stand. 
With my own far-ranging gun; 

Should the fray come hand to hand, 
I'll wager my rations I run. 

The trench is no longer in view; 

The shells have begun to fall; 
'Tis a sound I hate— don't you? 

Into my rat-hole I'll crawl. 

The bullets may whistle by. 

The terrible bombs come down; 

But give me full rations, and I 

Will stay in my hole in the ground. 

Oh ! a life on the Vicksburg hills, 
A home in the trenches deep. 

A dodge from the Yankee shells. 
And the old pea-bread won't keep. 



146 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



DO THEY MISS ME IN THE TRENCHES. 



*By J. W. Naff, Third Louisiana Regiment. 

Aik: "Bo They Miss Me at Home." 

Do they miss me in the trench, do they miss me? 

When the shells fly so thickly around? 
Do they know that I've run down the hill- side 

To look for my hole in the ground? 
But tlie shells exploded so near me. 

It seemed best for me to run; 
And though some laughed as I craw-fished, 

I could not discover the fun. 

I often get up in the trenches, 

When some Yankee is near out of sight. 
And fire a round or two at him. 

To make the boys think that I'll fight. 
But when the Yanks commence .shelling, 

I run to my home down the hill; 
I swear my legs never will stay there, 

Though all may stay there who will. 

I'll save myself through the dread struggle, 

And when the great battle is o'er 
I'll claim my full rations of laurels. 

As always I've done heretofore. 
I'll say that I've fought them as bravely 

As the best of my comrades who fell. 
And swear most roundly to all others 

That I never had fears of a shell. 



♦Killed the day after wiiting this song. 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 147 



'TWAS AT THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 

Aie: "Mocking Bird." 

' Twas at the siege of Vicksburg. 
Of Vicksburg, of Vicksburg, 
' Twas at the siege of "Vicksburg, 

When the Parrot shells were whistliag through the air- 
Listen to the Parrot shells. 
Listen to the Parrot shtlls. 

The Parrot shells are whistling through the air. 

Oh! Well will we remember. 
Remember, remember. 
Though mule meat, June sans November; 

And the minnie balls that whistled through the air- 
Listen to the minnie balls. 
Listen to the minnie balls. 

The minnie balls are singing in the air. 



148 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



VICKSBUEG : A BALLAD. 



By Paul H. Hayne. 



I. 

For sixty days and upwards 

A storm of sliell and shot 
Rained round us in a flaming shower, 

But still we faltered not! 
"If the noble city perish," 

Our grand young leader said, 
"Let the only walls the foe shall scale 

Be the ramparts of the dead!" 



II. 

For sixty days and upwards. 

The eye of heaven waxed dim. 
And even throughout God's holy morn, 

O'er christian's prayer and hymn. 
Arose a hissing tumult. 

As if the fiends in air 
Strove to ingulf the voice of faith 

In the shriek of their despair. 



III. 

There was wailing in the houses. 

There was trembling on the marts, 
While the tempest raged and thundered 

'Mid the silent thrill of hearts; 
But the Lord, our shield, was with us, 

And ere a month had sped. 
Our very women walked the streets 

With scarce one thought of dread. 



IV. 

And the little children gambolled. 

Their faces purely raised. 
Just for a wondering moment, 

As the huge bomb whirled and blazed! 
Then turned with silvery laughter 

To the sports which children love. 
Thrice mailed in the sweet, instinctive thought. 

That the good God watched above. 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 149 

V. 

Yet the hailing bolts fell faster. 

From scores of flame-clad ships. 
And about us, denser, darker. 

Grew the conflict's wild eclipse. 
Till a solid cloud closes o'er us. 

Like a type of doom and ire. 
Whence shot a thousand quivering tongues 

Of forked and vengeful Are. 



VI. 

But the unseen hands of angels 

Those death shafts turned aside 
And the dove of heavenly mercy 

Euled o'er the battle tide; 
In the houses ceased the wailing. 

And through the war-scarred marts. 
The people strode, with step of hope. 

To the music in their hearts. 



THE EAINBOW OF HOPE. 

By W. M. Washburn, Co. B, Third Louisiana. 

Air: "Life on the Wave." 

There's the rainbow of Hope in the moonlit sky, 

Man the works! fling trembling away, my boys; 
The breeze is soft, our God is on high, 

He will shield us if we are still true, my boys. 
We have slept in the calm, we have laughed in the storm. 

We will sing by the bomb's red glare, my boys; 
Should the foe come on. with a strong heart and arm, 

And a keen blade, we'll send him away, my boys. 

And the rainbow of Hope, while it lingers still. 

We will strike for the dear ones at home, my boys. 
We will trust to our blades and to God's good will. 

And fling ever fear to the winds, my boys. 
We will bear every hardship, or peril, or pain. 

For our loved ones are trusting to us, my boys, 
And we'll proudly return to greet them again. 

Or as proudly fill a soldier's grave, my boys. 

Light hearts we bi'ing to rescue our land. 

Though a shadow has hung o'er her of late, my boys; 
We will strike for our homes with a steady hand, 

And a smile for whate'er be our fate, my boys. 
Though some may sleep 'neath the hill-side sod. 

Though none go back to their homes, my boys. 
Yet the hearts that are true to their country and God, 

Will all meet at the last reveille, my boys. 



150 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBUKG. 




THE BATTLE-CEY OF FREEDOM. 



Yes, we'll rally round the Flag, boys, we'll rally once again. 

Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom! 
We will rally from the hill-side, we'll gather from the plain. 

Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom! 



The Union forever! hurrah! boys, hurrah! 

Down with the Traitor, up with the Star! 
"While we rally round the Flag, boys, rally once again, 

Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom! 

We are springing to the call of our Brothers gone before. 

Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom! 
And well fill the vacant ranks with a million Freemen more. 

Shouting the battle-cry of freedom! 

Chorus: The Union forever! etc. 

We will welcome to our numbers the boys all true and brave. 

Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom! 
And although he may be poor, he shall never be a Slave, 

Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom! 

Chorus: The Union forever! etc. 

So we're springing to the call from the East and from the West, 

Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom! 
And we'll hurl the Rebel crew from the land we love the best, 

Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom! 

Chorus: The Union forever! etc. 



THE SIEGE OF VJCKSBURG. 151 



RED, WHITE AND BLUE, 



Oh, Columbia, the gem of the ocean. 

The homo of the brave and the free. 
The shrine of each patriot's devotion, 

A world offers homage to thee. 
Thy mandates make heroes assemble. 

When liberty's form stands in view. 
Thy banners make tyrants tremble. 

When born by the red, white and blue. 

CHOEUS. 

When born by the red, white and blue. 
When born by the red, white and blue, 
Thy banners make tyrants tremble. 
When born by the red, white and blue. 

When war waged its wide desolation. 

And threatened our land to deform. 
The ark then of freedom's foundation, 

Columbia rode safe through the storm. 
With ner garland of victory o'er her. 

When so proudly she bore her bold crew. 
With her flag proudly floating before her, 

The boast of the red, white and blue. 

The boast of, etc. 

The wine cup, the wine cup bring hither 

And fill you it to the brim. 
May the wreath they have won never wither 

Nor the star of their glory grow dim. 
May the service united not sever. 

And hold to their colors so true. 
The army and the navy for ever. 

Three cheers for the red, white and blue. 
Three cheers, etc. 



152 THE SIEGK OF VICKSBURG. 



DO THEY MISS ME AT HOME? 



Do they miss me at home? do they miss me? 

'Twould be an assurance most dear 
To know that this moment some loved one 

"Were saying, I wish he were here! 
To feel that the group at the fireside 

Were thinlcing of me as I roam; 
Oh! yes, 'twould be joy beyond measure 

To know that they missed me at home. 

When twilight approaches the season 

That ever is saoi-ed to song, 
Does some one repeat my name over. 

And sigh that I tarry so long? 
And is there a chord in the music 

That's missed when my voice is away. 
And a chord in each heart that awaketh 

Regret at my wearisome stay? 

Do they set me a chair near the table 

When evening's home pleasures are nigh, 
When the candles are lit in tne parlor. 

And the stars in the calm, azure sky? 
And when the "good nights" are repeated. 

And all lay them down to their sleep. 
Do they think of the absent, and waft me 

A whispered "good night" while they sleep? 

Do they miss me at home? do they miss me 

At morning, at noon, or at night? 
And lingers one gloomy shade round them 

That only my presence can light? 
Are joys less invitingly welcome. 

And pleasures less hale than before. 
Because one is missed from the circle. 

Because I am with them no more? 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



153 



APPENDIX H. 



History of Vaughn's Confederate Brigade. 



By Capt. E. E. Houston, of Gen. J. C. Vaughn's Staff. 




Vaughn's East Tennessee Brigade 
was camped in the groves contiguous 
to Vicksburg, with tlie left of our 
line resting on the Mississippi river, 
when Grant moved down with his 
minions and commenced his canal 
across the peninsula in April, 1863. 
About this time a fearful storm 
passed over our camp, which blew 
down the immense poplar trees, kill- 
ing sixty men in the old Third and 
Sixty-third Tennessee regiments. 
Four brothers of Monroe county, Tenn., who were sleeping to- 
gether, were killed by one tree. This depressed the Tennessee 
troops very much, and we had quite a number to desert. How- 
ever, in the course of a few weeks they got over this, and the 
active picket duty and the frequent alarms at the river batteries 
gave them but little time to think of their trouble. On the last 
day of April our brigade was ordered to prepare three days' 
rations, and march to the railroad crossing at Big Black river for 
further orders. Having reached this point, we were ordered to 
take position in the ditches in the horseshoe on the Edwards side 
of the river. 

May 1st we heard the muttering of war. Port Gibson's battle 
had been fought, and the Confederate troops whipped. Next 
came Eaymond's battle on the twelfth, Jackson the fourteenth. 



154 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBUKG. 

and Baker's Creek, or Champion Hills, on the sixteenth. In all 
of these our troops were whipped and scattered. In the latter 
fight, General Loring refused to go into the "man trap," General 
Pemberton not knowing where his troops were, or even the topog- 
raphy of the country. The U. S. troops moved direct from 
Champion Hills for our trenches at Black river. Vaughn, who 
was in immediate command of this battle, had only men enough 
to place one every four feet in the ditches, and though frequent 
application was made for more troops to mass on the left, we 
never got them, Pemberton being, to all appearances — so far as 
my judgment could determine — as helpless and undecided as a 
child. In the meantime, Grant's victorious forces, ten times our 
numbers, moved rapidly forward, and while they were checked 
two or three times, they soon found our unprotected left, and 
with one grand bound, it seemed to me, carried our whole line. 
Troops were retreating pell-mell to the pontoons and railroad 
crossing. Hundreds were captured — in fact, one whole regiment 
on the right ; and with a mere remnant of the 3,800 men that we 
marched out of Vicksburg with, we returned with about two 
thousand for duty. In this fight I saw General Vaughn under 
the most terrible fire ; he was cool and collected, and at one time 
a cannon ball cut the reins of his bridle, and while I got off my 
horse to tie them, he seemed unconscious of fear. Lieut. Jno. 
Toland was ordered to withdraw the troops, and rode up boldly 
to the lines and gave the orders, at one time thrown from his 
horse, and in order to save himself, had to swim the river, as I 
had turned over the barrels of turpentine, and, under orders, set 
fire to the boats out of which we had made a pontoon. We 
marched back to Vicksburg, and with feelings of the mariner who 
has been tempest-tossed and was about entering a safe harbor, 
for we firmly believed the city impregnable ; and if invested, that 
we ha d food enough to last us until the armies of the Confederacy 
would relieve us— in fact, we were informed by general orders 
that we had six months' rations within the works. 

The nineteenth day of May our lines were withdrawn into the 
inner works, and the day revealed to us that we were surrounded. 
The bristling bayonets on the land side, the white smoke burst- 
ing from the mortar-boats anchored on the river side, the burst- 
ing of shells and playing of iron-clads, told its tale. The brigade 
of General Vaughn was placed in the ditches and protection of 
the "upper" river batteries to "razor-back hill." The Mississippi 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 155 

State troops having been placed under command of General 
Vaughn, their lines commenced there and extended about half a 
mile. As to how deep the ditches would have been dug by the 
time the siege was over, this deponent saith not, as these State 
troops were worse than gophers, for they soon had their ditches 
so deep that they could not reach the top of them with the 
muzzles of their guns, and orders had to be made for them to 
fill up. 

In about ten days after the enemy had surrounded us, orders 
were issued to be careful of rations, and for their reduction. 
Then came a detail of a portion of a Texas regiment to jerk mule 
meat ; then followed orders for the peas to be mixed with corn 
and wheat, and to be ground ; these orders were carried out. 
The mule meat was good, and in a few days very few were heard 
to grumble, but the grinding of the peas seemed to have poisoned 
them. While you could fry them, and they tasted well enough, 
the stomach would not retain them at all. The troops were in 
moderate health ; but few in the hospital ; it was not safe there. 
Though all of Vaughn's artillery at times was disabled and use- 
less, still his lines were not broken during the whole siege, and 
we stacked arms in the ditches we had held for forty days, on the 
4th of July, and saw the victorious troops file into our fortress. 
The victors were generous, and many were the hands I saw 
drawing food from their haversacks and give to our hollow-eyed 
and famished boys. It was about the 11th of July when all our 
soldiers, 32,000 in number, had been paroled and ready to leave. 



156 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



APPENDIX I 



CONFEDERATE REMINISCENCES. 



A Federal Shell in Vicksburg — Its Terrific Explosion in a 
Confederate Hospital. 



[ SELECTED. ] 



An Exploding Shell. — At 3 o'clock a. m., June 9, 1863, a fifteen 
inch shell from a U. S. mortar boat struck the City Hospital. It 
entered the top of the building and passed through the upper 
stories, walls and ceilings, smashing up and destroying every- 
thing in its path. It descended into the room occupied by 
surgeons. Dr. Britts and Dr. Taylor, of Paducah, Ky., were in 
bed and asleep in the room. The shell, instead of penetrating 
the floor beneath, took a circuit around the room and exploded 
before Dr. Britts could get out of the room ; but Dr. Taylor, 
whose bed was near the door, managed to escape before the ex- 
plosion. Dr. Britts was held down and prevented from moving 
by a load of plastering and debris that covered him, and before 
he could extricate himself the shell exploded with deafening 
noise, and filled the room with a hundred broken fragments, 
accompanied by flames and a suffocating smoke. 

Damage to a Surgeon. — One of the fragments from the bursted 
shell carried away one of Dr. Britts' legs. Another fragment 
pierced through his right lung, and another missile wounded him 
in the left knee. The doctor felt himself bleeding to death, and 
had presence of mind, after extricating himself, to take up the 
arteries and tie them, thereby preventing the flow of blood there- 
from. After a while they got him out and amputated his leg. 
The doctor says he never lost his presence of mind, although 
terribly wounded, and smothered by the partition wall blown by 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 157 

the force of the missile. He says he experienced precisely the 
same sensation said to be felt by drowning men. His whole past 
life seemed concentrated in a few seconds, and his mind was 
filled with illusions of his early years, which impressed him as 
vividly as the reality. He felt no pain in his dismembered leg, 
and in fact, having been placed by his surgeon under the effect 
of chloroform, he experienced no pain while undergoing the 
amputation, and during the long months of recovery. 

Anion fi tlic Patients. — Elder -James Bradley, of Eolling Home 
postoffice, Randolph county, Missouri, and Chris. Sears, of Ean- 
dolph county, son of the late Judge Sears, were at the time 
wounded and lying on a cot on the ground floor in the room ad- 
joining the surgeons, with many other sick and wounded Con- 
federate soldiers. The partition wall between the two rooms was 
entirely blown out, and the soldiers in the room adjoining were 
literally buried in the debris of the falling wall. Mr. Bradley 
was suffering from a wound made by the explosion of a shell just 
as it came even witb his shoulders, lacerating and wonnding him 
very badly. Sears had a very peculiar wound, indeed. He was 
shot in the face with a leaden ball. The ball struck square on 
the bridge of the nose, and separating from some cause, came 
out in two places through the roof of his mouth and was taken 
out with his own hands. Mr. James H. Robertson, of Fayette, 
under whom, as editor of the Banner, we took our first lessons 
in the newspaper business, was suffering at the time from a 
wound in the left shoulder made by a grape shot, and was lying 
in the hall of the second story on a blanket at the time. The 
shell passed through the roof and two floors above him, and 
through the floor on which he lay, about four feet from him. 
We had often heard him speak of the circumstance, and we wrote 
to him about it when we saw the statement above given in the 
Republican. Mr. R. says that Dr. Whitehead, surgeon of the 
Third Louisiana infantry, and a number of wounded soldiers of 
that regiment, were in the building at the time. Eight were 
killed and fourteen wounded. 

Other Mention. — Dr. W. A. Monroe, son of the distinguished 
Andrew Monroe, of the M. E. Church South, and now a prom- 
inent physician of Memphis, Mo., and Mr. George W. Riggins, 
afterward extracted the grape shot from Mr. R.'s shoulder, at the 



158 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 

hospital at Greenwood, Louisiana. Dr. Kiggins now resides in 
Columbia, and although a surgeon of acknowledged ability, has 
not practiced his profession for several years. 

The shelling of Yicksburg from the fleet in the river, and from 
the guns of the Federals along the miles of breastworks at the 
same time, is said to have been one of the grandest and 
gloomiest pictures in the annals of war. Mr. Robertson says 
the history of the siege has never been written. — Missouri Be2)Hh- 
lican and Columbia Sentinel. 

Dr. Nidelefs Account of the Exploding Shell. — ^In the narrative 
from which the foregoing is taken, reference was made to Dr. 
S. L. Nidelet, of St. Louis, as having been a sharer in the ex- 
ploding shell's injurious effects. On personal application to him 
he gave a verbal recital of the facts known to himself, which are 
as follows : 

" The City Hospital building, used as a Confederate hospital, 
stood on the highest ground about Yicksburg, and was the most 
conspicuous target in the city for heavy shells hurled from Por- 
ter's mortar boats anchored at the river's edge on the west side 
of the peninsula, about three miles distant on a direct line, wliich 
were fired day or night, as suited the inclinations of the gunners 
and their commanders. The shells were fired at an angle which 
caused them to describe a circuit through the air like that of the 
rainbow, making the journey considerably more than three miles 
to the hospital. The destructive shell was conical in shape, and 
only about two inches less in diameter than the mouth of a flour 
barrel. 

"It was started on its destructive mission a little after 1 o'clock 
A. M. Dr. Britts and I had completed the amputation of the 
leg of a wounded Confederate at 1 o'clock, and Dr. Britts had re- 
tired to his bed room, which was immediately below the surgery 
room, in the northeast corner of the building. The shell ex- 
ploded upon the brick floor of the room, tearing away the major 
part of the north and east outer walls, and wrecking the south 
partition wall, portions of which fell upon Dr. Britts, whose bed 
was next the wall. The Doctor w^as wounded not only by frag- 
ments of shell, but his leg was injured by a piece of brick from 
the floor. His lung wounds caused an abscess to form, and he 
narrowly escaped death. His recovery was a marvel." 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 159 

The floor of the operating room on which Dr. Nidelet was 
standing was blown up with such force as to hft him bodily, and 
force him on the top of an open door, from which he fell into a 
hall on the south side, into which the doorway led. A piece of 
shell cut his nose and another lifted his scalp, and has left an 
indentation where the wound was made. 

Dr. Britts lives in Clinton, Henry county, Missouri, and is a 
member of the State Senate. Dr. Nidelet is the present coroner 
of St. Louis. A few years ago they met in the Coroner's office, 
the first time since the war; they looked at each other for 
a moment, and a mutual recognition was followed by a cordial 
embrace and deep emotion in which men are not wont to indulge. 



Incidents and Personal Sketches of the Missouri First and 
Second Confederate Brigades. 



By R. S. BEVIER. 



Battle of Port Gibuon. 



"Ensigns hieh advanced, 
Standards ;ind gonfalons, 'twixt van and rear. 
Stream in the air, and for distinction serve; 
'Twixt host and host but narrow space was left; 
A dreadful interval, and front to front 
Presented, stood in terrible array 
Of hideous length." —Milton. 

On the morning of the first day of May, 1863, the regiment 
was ordered out for action. Some of our little army of seven 
thousand men had been engaged since midnight, and we could 
distinctly hear the roll of musketry. Adjutant Greenwood formed 
the battalions, and as I rode out I asked him, fretfully, why he 
had lined them with the "Third." He smiled audibly. 

It was early in the day when we moved through Port Gibson, 
and the noble people of the old town were up and out to cheer us 
to the contest. Already it could be heard — the sounds at times 
almost dying away, as if it were the last breath of some struggling 



160 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 

giant, and then, trebly thundering, the mingling echoes of cannon 
and musket would "swell the gale," and we would hurry faster 
forward. Soft-eyed women looked at us through their tears, and 
strong old men sobbed their farewells, knowing it was the last 
day for many of us. About two miles beyond the town we struck 
the unsightly hills that bristle all along this portion of the Miss- 
issippi, and climbing up and down one rugged acclivity after 
another. We at length came to a halt in an old corn field 
m front of a thick canebrake, and at the foot of a steep, cane- 
covered hill. Here we lay for some hours, waiting for orders, and 
listening to the semi-circle of tiring that appeared to be enlarg- 
ing, as if about to enclose us completely. Col. Gause, with the 
Third, and my regiment, the Fifth, comprised our force, and 
we had almost concluded we were forgotten, and began to feel 
like Casablanca on the "burning deck," when we were suddenly 
and very disagreeably undeceived. 

Bayou Pierre, a deep and turbid stream, with impassable banks 
and partly tilled by backwater, passes Port Gibson from the east, 
and trending towards the south, forms a junction with the Miss- 
issippi some miles below Grand Gulf. The bridge we had crossed 
on entering the town, was the only means of passage over it. 

Grant had landed his forty thousand men below its mouth, and 
was now pushing up its banks to obtain possession of the bridge, 
and thus cut off our only means of retreat. This would be the 
first step towards, and perhaps result in, the capture of the seven 
thousand men, which was the sum total of Bowen's command, 
and nearly all of whom were on the south side of the bayou. 

Since midnight, when the attack commenced, the enemy had 
been steadily driving us back, and were confident they would soon 
control the point d'apjmi. About this stage of the game — about 
two o'clock p. m. — Generals Bowen and Cockrell both came to us, 
and in the hearing of many of both regiments, briefly explained 
the situation, and desired us to make a determined charge on the 
enemy's right flank, and divert their attention from their main 
object. If we could do this we would save the little army. Accord- 
ingly, we were led through the cane-brake up a steep hill, and 
from the summit shown our foe, and told to "go at them." We 
did not, however, see all of them. The two hills seemed to be 
twins, and upon the top of the other, within easy range, was a 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 161 

bright and glistening field battery of eight brass guns, which im- 
mediately opened upon us with destructive effect, plowing 
through fhe ranks in every direction with shot, shell and shrap- 
nel. Between us was a valley with a small stream meandering 
through its bottom and a few stunted trees and hardy bushes 
hanging over the shallow waters. On the opposite side a large 
Federal brigade was drawn up to receive us, with flags fluttering 
defiance, and the sheeny sunshine glittering on their bayonets 
and gun barrels. A charge at double-quick was ordered ; and 
through the iron hail, with even alignment and the steady tread 
of the drill ground, the two regiments threw themselves into the 
stunted shrubbery and the bed of the little stream. Instead of 
one brigade, we now found that two confronted us— either one 
quadrupling our numbers — and the continuous roll of small guns 
was appalling, almost drowning the fierce discharge of the artil- 
lery. The noise was so incessant that no orders could be heard ; 
and the bullets flew so thick that hardly a leaf or twig was left on 
the bare poles of what had been a diminutive forest when we 
entered it. One of the enemy's brigades became disorganized and 
confused when we charged on them, shielding ourselves under the 
protection of the creek banks only ten feet distant from them, 
while they were on the open ground and suffered immensely from 
our fire, until they broke for shelter, leaving the other brigade 
still before us. The resounding echoes of the conflict extended to 
the extremest limits of the lines of both armies. Grant heard it 
and was astonished. He thought Loring's whole division from 
Vicksburg had struck his flank, and in hot haste withdrew a large 
force from his left and hurried to reinforce his threatened right. 
In the meantime, while he thought he was out-flanked, we found 
that we had made a fatal mistake. That which Gen. Bowen mis- 
took for the right flank of the Federal army was near the centre 
of that wing, and soon after he had ordered our charge, he dis- 
covered their line stretching away for nearly a mile on our left, 
and rapidly closing around us. The third courier only succeeded 
in reaching us to convey the order to retreat. We were willing to 
receive and act on it. We had often looked anxiously to the rear 
for help or for directifus to withdraw. By signs only could the 
"retreat" be sounded. Whilst we remained in the bed of the creek 
the foemen overshot us ; but on the brow of the hill every inch of 
it was swept by both the artillery and the musketry ; and there 
many a brave fellow was killed or wounded. 
—11 



162 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 

All semblance of organization was lost. The rush to the rear 
was active and speedy ; and over the brow of the hill, for fifty- 
feet sheer down, the two regiments tumbled, each man plowing 
his individual farrow through the cane-brake, to the sore distress 
of his person and his uniform. At the very place where we lay so 
long in the corn-field, our flags were again unfolded and the rally- 
ing point established. Out of the three hundred and fifty men 
that went into the fight, we lost over one hundred. The remnant 
promptly rallied round the flag. Greenwood, our brave Adjutant, 
was left dead; and with him, many others had paid their last 
devoirs to duty. Here we remained until near sundown, the 
enemy not seeming disposed to follow us up or push their advan- 
tage. We retired slowly, and with precision. Except that ranks 
were thinner, and our battalions blood-stained, powder-grimed 
and dusty, the army presented the same gay appearance as in 
the morning. Some sober faces there were. An intimate mess- 
mate, or possibly a brother, left behind. But death is such a 
frequent visitor in the ranks of war that he becomes a familiar 
acquaintance. The social festivities of Port Gibson had en- 
deared it to us. The elegant hospitality of its people had con- 
stituted the place an oasis in the desert of our military career. 
It was, therefore, with sad hearts that the remnants of our regi- 
ments slowly, and for the last time, marched through the streets. 
Again the terrified friends were out to greet us, with tearful eyes* 
and pale faces, wishing us God speed, and apprehending the 
worst of fates in their own future. We were compelled to aban- 
don them to it, no matter how cruel that fate might be ; and just 
as the sun was sinking below the horizon, red and ominous, its 
last lingering rays decking the church steeples and adorning the 
court house cupola, we turned from the last fond gaze at them, 
and plunged into the deepening shades of the woods that bordered 
the bayou. King Boabdil, when he paused upon the summit of 
the adjoining hill to take his final look at the lofty towers of 
Granada, and the glittering colonnades of the Alhambra, could 
not have felt more sad than we. 



the siege of vicksburg. 163 

Champiox Hills and Big Black. 



From Port Gibson's hard-earned flglit, 
To Champion Hills embattled height, 
At early dawn of coming light 

We rushed upon the foe. 
Tattered and torn those banners now, 
But not less proud eacdi lofty brow, 

Untaught, as yet, to yield: 
With mein unblanehed, unfaltering eye— 
Forward! where shrieking shrapnels fly, 
Fleeking with smoke the azure sky 

0"er "Champion's" fated field. 

— AUston. 

The entire army under Gen. Pemberton, except the watchful 
videttes and the yawmng guards, were sunk m the most profound 
shimber; the cold night air played with tangled locks that for a 
week had been strangers to a comb, and no covering overspread 
us to deaden the sullen, booming sound of the distant cannon 
that awaked us before daybreak on the 16th of May, 1863. From 
the 1st of the month we had experienced a most trying time — 
constantly on the march, lighting nearly every day, * * arrayed 
in line of battle at every cross road, with no stated time for rest 
or refreshment, we slowly receded from Bayou Pierre and neared 
Yicksburg, where the final struggle was to take place. 

Our hasty breakfast dispatched, we lay waiting until nine 
o'clock, when we were moved to an old, ridgey field, where we re- 
mained for five hours under a terrific cannonading. The men 
were compelled to prostrate themselves as prone as an Indian 
devotee before Juggernaut, the balls ricocheting not two feet over 
them, blinding them with dirt, burying them under clods of earth, 
and slaughtering most of our horses. Gen. Loring's command 
occupied the right, Bowen the centre and Stevenson the left. The 
latter, at two p. m., after half an hour of continuous discharge 
of musketry, which rolled from end to end of their line like a suc- 
cession of alarm-beats on a million of drums, began to give back, 
and we were ordered to move to their support. The deafening 
crash of battle only served to invigorate our veterans, and at a 
brisk double-quick they rushed to the point of danger and conflict. 
As we were moving with our left in front, we had to come "on left 
by file into line," a difficult maneuver that can only be appreciated 
by a tactician, and it was rendered still more hazardous by the 
fact that the enemy had just captured Waddell's battery, which 



164 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 

had been left unsupported by the flight of its defenders, and at 
this moment opened a galling fire on the right flank of our un- 
formed brigade. Our brave men, however, stood Arm; the un- 
broken line was rapidly perfected, and a movem^ent in the face of 
the foe rendered successful, which was almost as difficult to per- 
form as the celebrated "oblique order" of Epaminondas at 
Leuctra, or of Frederick the Great at Leuthen. Our regiments 
were not yet all deployed when the Federals charged us, and we 
met them with a fierce countercharge in an old orchard. Tbe 
ground was contested inch by inch, but we drove them gradually 
back until we gained a mile or more. During the time, they were 
incessantly reinforced and made repeated stands, when our 
nearest mounted officer Avould rush back for help, and, obtaining 
it, would move ahead until stopped by fresh men from the other 
side. While galloping down a steep hill, in search of the com- 
mander of a regiment that was lying idle in the rear of us, a 
minnie bullet struck my horse in the flank, carrying away my 
scabbard, and sending me tumbling helplessly to the foot of the 
declivity. Captain Duncannon picked me up for dead, but I 
soon found that to be a mistake, and on an old artillery horse I 
mounted, and hurried back with the idle regiment to help us. 
My second horse was soon shot also, to my great relief, as he was 
as rough "as a spur of Matterhorn," and I took it afoot. I found 
our brigade sorely pressed, as well as annoyed by that dread of 
the brave soldier, an enfilading fire of both musketry and artil- 
lery. We were masters of the field in our front for a short time 
only, as inquiry developed the disagreeable fact that our ammuni- 
tion had all been expended, not only each man's fifty rounds, but 
quite an additional supply which we had taken from the cartridge 
boxes of the enemy. Our ordnance stores were far in the rear, 
by us unattainable, and time began to press us, for the Federals 
had brought up their whole army and were moving against both 
flanks and coming on our rear. With slow and sullen dignity we 
retired, "violently case-shotiing if pricked in our rearward parts," 
as Carlyle says of the Russians at Zorndorff, and therefore not 
much annoyed, our foemen, indeed, moving out of the way, so as 
to give us an unobstructed passage. 

The midnight hour was near at hand when the men sank 
heavily to rest behind the breastworks whicli protected the bridge 
over the Big Black. Early in the mornmg, eyes weary and blood- 
shot, were opened to respond to new alarm. A heavy reconnois- 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 165 

sance approached and was driven back. We lay quietly in the 
trenches, munching hard-tack and uncooked corn-beef, until 
ten o'clock, when the grand charge was made. Our entrench- 
ments were thrown up in the soft soil of the bottom land, shaped 
like a horse-shoe, with a heavy railroad embankment running 
through the center, and covering two bridges, which constituted 
our only line of retreat. The fight opened briskly, far away to 
our left, confined to muskets and Enfield rifles, and no attack 
made in our front. We were standing by our arms, idly waiting 
for something to do, when we were thunderstruck at the receipt 
of an order to "retreat ; we are flanked !" Mounting the parapet, 
I could see through my glass the place where a Mississippi regi- 
ment had been stationed, swarming with blue-coats and hordes 
besides pouring over our defences. We had been flanked, or, 
rather, our center pierced ; were enfiladed both ways, and no 
altenative remained but to get away from there as fast as possible. 
In a jumbled crowd we rushed for the bridges. It was a regular 
suare-que-pent and devil take the hindmost. 



The Siege of Vicksburg. 



I'et the hailing bolts fell faster. 

From scores of flame-clad ships; 
And about us, denser, darker. 

Grew the eonfliefs wild eclipse, 
'Till a solid cloud grew o'er us. 

Like a type of doom and ire. 
Whence shot a thousand quiv'ring tongues 

Of forked and vengeful Are. —Hayne. 

Vicksburg is situated on a tumultuous collection of sand hills, 
thus forming a most admirably defensible position. It overlooks 
a vast expanse of the great river and a mighty horseshoe-shaped 
bend, upon the further side of which, with a mile and a half of 
water and land intervening, the mortar-boa's of Porter's bombard 
fleet were planted, drooping into every part of the city, from over 
the clouds, huge iron spheres that looked like big potash kettles 
until they burst, when they behaved as one would imagine of an 
aerial powder magazine. Our breastworks consisted of hastily 
and irregularly constructed intrenchments, circling the other side 



166 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 

of the city with the curve of a joggled crescent, but so badly en- 
gineered that in some places an enfilading tire would sweep us 
for regiments in length ; and in others, palings, loosely erected, 
would cause more damage from wooden splinters than could 
have resulted from iron balls. 

The 19th and 22d of May were characterized by grand and 
desperate charges around the entire line, easily repelled by us 
with but little loss, but very fatal to the assailants. After that 
they settled down to the regular form of siege warfare, approach- 
ing like moles, through the ground in parallels, pushing their 
sharpshooters to the front, who ensconced themselves in innu- 
merable rifle-pits and behind every stump and tree ; and from the 
land side kept up a constant discharge of hot-shot, shrapnel, 
.shell and grape, while "Porter's bombs," from over the river, 
with hideous screeches, cleaved the upper air. 

No safe place in the corporation could be found, except behind 
some of the parapets where the soldiers lay, and in the deep 
holes which the citizens burrowed in the sandy soil and occupied 
as residences ; even some of these were invaded by unwelcome 
messengers, scattering death and destruction all around. When 
we were "off duty," and gathered by our camp fires, the danger 
was as great, possibly greater, than in the trenches. On one oc- 
casion. Major Waddell and myself were sitting on the ground, 
engaged at dinner. I leaned back for the purpose of extracting a 
toothpick from my pocket, just as a baby shrapnel came dancing 
over the hill, and glanced slightly against the Major's temple, but 
stro]ig enough, for all that, to send him to a hospital couch for 
a month. The little piece of "gray goose-quill," occupied as it 
was in a different mission from that which Cowper contemplated, 
saved my life, for the ball jpierced the place where my head, but 
for that, would have been. On the day before, as a matter of 
both safety and comfort, the Major and myself had constructed, 
by excavation, a joint bed, and this, filled with leaves and covered 
with blankets, enabled us to slumber like king5. Towards morn- 
ing a heavy rain submerged us, of which I was totally unaware 
until vigorously punched by his elbow, with, "Dang it all, lay 
still, won't you ! Every time you turn over, you let in cold water. " 

The Federals have several times undermined our works, ex- 
ploded the charges with which the mines were filled, and charged 
the breaches thus caused. Here we met them. One event dupli- 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 167 

cated the other ; the artillery, musketry, and biirstmg of hand-gren- 
ades, united with the yells of the powder-grimed combatants, 
the cloudy pall of sulphur, smoke and dust hanging over the 
lurid glare of battle, constituted a scene of sublime and terrific 
grandeur. 

' The latter of these upheavals was like the sudden eruption of 
a volcano, elevating an immense quantity of sand, which sank 
back in the form of a crater, burying beneath the debris near a 
hundred of our men. Across the mouth of it was a space of 
some fifty feet ; one side occupied by the enemy, the other by 
us. Both parties kept up an incessant firing of small arms, to 
prevent the other from occupying the fatal pit. No soldier could 
show himself above the surface of the parapet, under penalty of 
instant death. The fusilade was kept up by discharging the 
guns above their heads, of course, without taking any aim. At 
night we had a ditch dug through the wall of the crater, and, 
cautiously entering, found it vacant — ours by virtue of first occu- 
pation. Our conquest was of no avail unless we utilized it by 
discovering the exact position of the men on the other side, as a 
guide in the handling of our grenades. Crawling to the farther 
slope, I jumped my head up with a quick movement, so as to 
obtain a bird's-eye view, and allow no time to be aimed at. At 
the same moment, a Federal officer did the same thing, and we 
both ducked down with remarkable agility. Determined not to 
"give it up so," I moved a few feet to the left. He seemed inspired 
by a similar impulse, moving the same distance to his right, and 
we simultaneously bobbed up and down to each other like two 
dancing- jacks. 

"Halloo ! old fellow," says I. "Stick your head up again !" 

"Nary time," he replied. 

"Who are you ?" I asked. 

"Lieut. -Colonel Clendennin, — th Illinois, commanding relief. 
Who are you?" 

"Lieut. -Colonel B , commanding relief on this side. 

Won't you shake hands ?" 

"No, I guess not." 

"Well, good-bye then." 

"Good-bye; I'll call on you in a few days." 



168 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 

The glimpse I succeeded in obtaining enabled me to direct 
where a rampart grenade could be rolled among a whole company 
of sleeping Yankees; but I did not — "a little touch of nature 
makes us all of kin." Our friendly interview protected for that 
'time the lives of those unconscious slumberers. The day after 
the surrender, I was laying in my tent in an exceedingly bad 
humor, when the clattering of horses feet announced some vis- 
itors and an officer introduced himself and friends. It was my 
quondam acquaintance of the crater with an urgent invitation 
to dinner, which I could not but accept ; and where we had a 
good time and "fought our battles o'er again" much more pleas- 
antly than in the first instance. 



As early as the middle of June, the commissariat began to 
run low. On the ninth of that month, Capt. Albert C. Ban- 
ner, Assistant Quartermaster, makes minute that " the last 
of our beef has been issued, bread is made only of corn, rice and 
beans ground and mixed into a meal ; we can not possibly hold 
oiit over twenty days, even on half rations." One private barrel 
of wheat flour was sold for four hundred dollars. As a soup for 
the sick, lean mules were slaughtered and stewed, and for fam- 
ished men, made a most savory pottage. When the siege com- 
menced, it had been announced that there were provisions enough 
stored away to subsist the army for six months, and in less than 
one month, the sudden reduction and miserable quality of rations 
issued, did not serve to inspire confidence among the men. All 
the critics of this siege insist that the town could have been amply 
provisioned. The failure in this respect involved the loss of the 
city, as well as the loss of health to many a gallant soldier. Af- 
ter receiving rather short rations of corn bread and indifferent 
beef for a few days, we were somewhat surprised one day to see, 
among the provisions sent up, that the only supply in the way of 
bread was made of peas. There is no question in regard to this 
pea bread ; it is rather a hard edil)le, and was made of a well 
known product of several of the southern States, called cow-peas, 
which is rather a small bean cultivated quite extensively as 
provender for animals. When properly and well prepared it 
makes a very poor vegetable for the table, thougii some persons 
profess to be fond of it. Being introduced as a ration into the 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG, 169 

army, it was always our principal and regular vegetable; occa- 
sionally we received rice and sweet potatoes. There was a good 
supply of this pea in the commissariat at Vicksburg, and the idea 
grew out of the fertile brain of some official that, if reduced to 
the form of meal, it would make an admirable substitute for 
bread. Sagacious and prolific genius! — whether General or 
Commissary — originator of this glorious conception — this alto- 
gether novel species of the hardest of "hard tack !" Perhaps he 
never swallowed a particle of it ! If he did, the truth and force 
of these comments will be appreciated. The process of getting 
the pea into the form of bread was the same as that to which 
corn is subjected ; the meal was ground at a large mill in the 
city, and sent to the cooks in camp to be prepared. It was ac- 
cordingly mixed with cold water, and put through the form of 
baking ; but the nature of it was such that it never got done, and 
the longer it was cooked the harder it became on the outside, 
which was natural, but, at the same time, it grew relatively softer 
on the inside, and upon breaking it, you were sure to find raw 
pea meal in the centre. The cooks protested that it had been on 
the fire two good hours, but it was all to no purpose ; yet on the 
outside it Avas so hard that one migiit have knocked down a full 
grown steer with a chunk of it. 

The great question of edible food occupied almost as much of 
the attention of the besieged as did the shrieking shrapnel and 
the thundering shell. In the Dally Citizen of June 30, 1863, pub- 
lished in the city, by J. M. Swords, on the back of figured wall 
paper, the editor says : 

"General Pemberton has stated he would not surrender as long 
as a mule or dog was left to subsist on. This possible contin- 
gency caused some of our officers yesterday to try mule meat. 
A couple of the long-eared animals were slaughtered, dressed and 
cooked, and bountifully partaken of by a large company. We 
learn the flesh was palatable and decidedly preferable to the 
stringy beef of a month past, and those who tried the mule meat 
prefer it for regular rations. 

"The editor of the Citizen wishes to be understood as insinu- 
at'ng that the above officers omitted to extend the customary 
courtesies to the Press, and therefore broadly assert that mule 
meat would not 'go bad.' " 



170 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 

As a fair compensation to the poverty of the mess-pot and the 
skillet, came the many rose-colored rumors that seemed to float 
in the very atmosphere, freighted with that — 

"Hope which springs eternal in the human breast, 
And relieves from war the siu'charged heart." 

A system of communications with the outer-world was estab- 
lished through the medium of bold and daring couriers, who 
floated on planks down the river, or glided through the jungles 
of malarious swamps. By this imperfect mail line Bowen re- 
ceived his commission as Major-General. Pemberton got dis- 
patches from Johnston, and a myriad of reports followed the 
arrival of each messenger. On the twenty-eighth of May Gen- 
eral Pemberton issued a circular in which he informed the soldiers 
that General Joseph E. Johnston was at Canton with a large 
force, Loring at Jackson with ten thousand men, and that the 
major portion of General Bragg' s army was on the move from 
Tennessee to reinforce Johnston, and ere long relief would be at 
hand. That it was also reported from the East that General 
Lee had whipped and driven Hooker over the Potomac, the 
Federals losing eighty thousand men ; that Long Bridge was 
burned and Arlington Heights in possession of the Virginians. 
These rumors inspired the army with new feelings, and hope 
again flamed high. This was supplemented on the eleventh of 
June by the cheering information, received over the "grape-vine 
telegraph," that Price was cerlainly in possession of Helena, 
Arkansas, and held control of the Mississippi ; that Bragg was 
occupying Memphis, and thus had closed Grant's communica- 
tion with the Noi-th ; that Lee was undoubtedly shelling Washing- 
ton City fi-om Arlington Heights ; that Kirby Smith was positively 
known to be at New Carthage, Louisana ; that there was no ques- 
tion of the fact that Semmes, with a formidable fleet of iron-clad 
vessels, had demolished Farragat, recaptured New Orleans and 
was moving up the river in concert with Magruder and Dick Tay- 
lor, expecting soon to capture Banks and his army, preparatory 
to finishing Grant and Porter; and finally, that the Lincoln gov- 
ernment was suing for peace. But tlie reports which most 
persistently kept possession of the mess-talk w^ere of Johnston's 
immediate advance, toward the last, daily reported more reliable, 
he had crossed Big Black, demolished Grant's wagon train, de- 
feated Sherman and McClernand, was closely pressing the 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBUEG. 171 

enemy, would soon be with ns, and might hourly be expected to 
raise the siege. The desire to hear from General Johnston reached 
a feverish intensity. From a thousand hearts the wish for his 
appearance was often expressed as fervently as was Wellington's 
aspiration, "Oh, that night would come — or Blucher !" 

In the meantime the siege was closely pressed, the parallels 
approaching in places within a few feet of each other, so the men 
could converse across the parapets. I know of very few instances 
where this mutual confidence was abused, the men in many in- 
stances mounting the works and exchanging the news, giving due 
notice when orders were received to lire, with, "Lie down, Eebs., 
we're going to shoot," or, "Squat, Yanks, we must commence firing 
again." A part of the warfare resolved itself into throwing over 
hard clods, rocks and hand grenades. The latter were small 
shells filled with little bullets, probably larger than a buck-shot. 
In return for the hand-grenades we threw shells varying from six 
to ninety pounds into their works, many of which did great exe- 
cution ; but we did not know it at that time, and this sort of 
shelling was not kept up ; it was only after the siege that we 
learned that if it had been sustained, especially with the heavy 
shells, their nearer works would have been untenable. 

The Confederate fort on the Jackson road was blown up by the 
explosion of a mine by the enemy on the twenty-fifth. It was sit- 
uated just to the left of that road, and in its destruction we lost 
a number of men. The Federals charged immediately and 
attempted to pass through the opening, and a severe and bloody 
contest occurred between the hostile force and the Third Loui- 
siana and Sixth Missouri. Col. Erwin, commanding the latter, 
was killed while gallantly defending the breach with his regiment. 
He was a brave officer, and a gentleman of talent and genius. 
Gen. Martin E. Green, commanding the Second Missouri Brigade, 
which had been in the intrenchments nearly all the time, and 
where he had almost exclusively remained, rarely ever leaving 
the ditches, was killed on the twenty-seventh of June, while re- 
connoitering one of the enemy's batteries. He was struck in the 
head by a musket ball and died instantly ; and thus the life of 
this gray-haired patriot and brave chieftain was given to his 
country and to a cause for which he had long and devotedly 
struggled. 



172 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 

At twelve o'clock on the first of July our regiment — (x\nclerson's 
account of the Second Missouri infantry) — retired to its position 
when off duty, a little over a hundred yards back in the hollow; 
the Sixth Missouri was placed on duty in our stead. We had 
just stacked arms and entered the holes, some had taken their 
boots off, others their pants, as it was very warm, and were 
arranging to be comfortable for the time, when the ground 
heaved as if by an earthquake. Had the mine under the parapet 
been sprung? No sound immediately accompanied this motion. 
Was it Old Enceladus, the son of Earth, stirred in his mighty 
caverns'? But in an instant more the terrific Ihunder of the ex- 
plosion reached us. The elements shook at the appalling sound. 
The earth trembled as beneath the giant tread of Titans hurling 
their huge missiles against the arc of heaven. Immense columns 
of earth and shattered fragments ascended into the air and dark- 
ened the heavens. We seemed to stand upon the brink of a 
volcanic crater, ready to engulf us in its fiery flood. Simul- 
taneously the concentrated fire of more than fifty pieces of 
artillery opened upon this devoted position. The furies rode in 
triumph around the wild chaos, and the god of war waved his 
gleaming sword above the raging battle. Rushing to get my gun, 
the first man 1 observed was Alford, waving his sword and com- 
manding the men to fall into line. The regiment was quickly 
formed and hastened to the scene. We were met by Cockrell, 
who was not very far from the parapet where the explosion oc- 
curred, and with many others was blown up. He fell some dis- 
tance down the hill, and miraculously escaped without any fatal 
injury. Though still suffering, he was very much excited, and 
greeted the head of the regiment in a loud and animated tone : 
"Forward, my brave old Second Missouri, and prepare to die." 
Before reaching the lines we encountered many fearful evidences 
of the frightful and terrible character of the affair, men being 
borne back by the infirmary corps, whose faces and hands pre- 
sented a charred, blackened and swollen appearance, truly shock- 
ing and most horrible. Upon arriving at the ruins the sight 
presented to our vieA^ was frightful. Men were lying around in 
every direction, of whom some had been maimed and mangled, 
and were still living, while others were dead or lifeless— most of 
them dead. Those that were blown beyond the immediate circle 
of the explosion, which occupied a large space, were being gath- 
ered up where they were in sight. Many were covered and buried 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 173 

beneath the frtlHiig earth and wreck, and men were already en- 
gaged m digging for the bodies, to snve, if possible, those in 
whom life might not yet be extinct. This labor was performed 
under a heavy fire, and was rewarded by finding a few living, 
who were immediately borne oft" on litters, while as rapidly as 
they were exhumed the most of them unfortunately were laid 
aside — deposited with the dead. As each body was brought forth 
from this living tomb it underwent its brief examination — the 
search for life or death. Above, around and amidst this scene 
of woe and death, the enemy's balls and shells whizzed and 
flashed in wild riot and with fatal destruction. Our position was 
immediately in rear of the ruins. The shelling was severe — fear- 
ful ! Under any ordinary circumstances the post would have 
been considered untenable, but now it must be maintained, for 
every moment it was thought the artillery would cease and a 
charge be made. From the hostile works immediately upon the 
outside of our lines a small mortar had opened, throwing a twelve 
pound shell, and every one lighted and exploded in our mids^ 
rarely failing to kill or wound one, probably several of the men. 
Our situation was the most trying to which troops can be ex- 
posed; subjected to a deadly fire without the chance of return- 
ing it or striking the foe ; for our artillery at this part of the line, 
confronted by vastly superior metal both in weight and number, 
had been dismounted or crippled, and not a single piece responded 
to the incessant roar of the enemy's guns. The bearing of the 
men never attracted my admiration more than under the circum- 
stances in which they were now placed. The large shells from 
the heavy batteries, striking the top of the blown-up fortifica- 
tions, burst immediately in our faces, killing and disabling the 
men and almost covering us with earth ; but, shaking themselves 
and closing up the ranks, they stood devotedly to their places, 
and through the smoke of battle, upon every countenance was de- 
picted the determination to hold the parapet or die in its defence. 
We were kept in position here for two hours, holding ourselves in 
readiness to receive a charge. 

The artillery at last ceased firing for awhile, but the destructive 
little mortar still continued to play upon us with serious effect ; 
about forty men of the regiment were struck by it, and more of 
them were killed than wounded. Among the last casualties of 
the day was Lieut. -Col. Senteney, of the Second, who was looking 
over the works and making some observations, when he was shot 



174 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBUKG. 

through the head by a Mmnie ball and killed instantly. With 
bitter tears of grief and sorrow the regiment beheld the body of 
this gallant officer, who had led them through many trying scenes 
and fiery ordeals, now borne back a corpse. 

On the second of July, Captain Covell writes : "Our last rations 
are in our haversacks — mule meat at that. All hope of outside 
relief has been abandoned. It is said that Col. Cockrell proposed 
to 'cut out,' offering to lead the charging column with the Mis- 
sourians, but the coils were drawn too closely, and nothing was 
left but surrender." 

The preliminary note for terms was dispatched on the third of 
July. Correspondence on. the subject continued during the 
day, and was not concluded until nine o'clock the next morning. 
General Pemberton afterwards came out and had a personal in- 
terview with Grant in front of the Federal line, the two sitting for 
an hour and a half in close communion. A spectator says : 
"Grant was silent and smoking, while Pemberton, equally cool 
and careless in manner, was ])lucking straws and biting them, as 
if in the merest chit-chat.' It was a terrible day's work for 
such display of scoififwid. It was the loss of one of the largest 
armies which the Confederates had in the field ; the decisive 
event of the Mississippi Valley; the virtual surrender of the great 
rivdr, and the severance of the Southern Confederacy. Weak- 
ness from fatigue, short rations and heat, had left thousands of 
the troops decrepit ; six thousand of whom were in the hospitals, 
and many of them were crawling about in what should have been 
convalescent camps ; four thousand citizens and negroes, be- 
sides Pemberton's army, including all the souls within the walls 
of Vicksburg. When we consider that these people had, for a* 
month and a half, been in daily terror of their lives, never being 
able to sleep a night in their homes, but crawling into caves, un- 
able to move except in the few peaceful intervals in the heat of 
the day, we may appreciate what a life of horror was theirs. 

From across the opposite side of the peninsula, Porter's bomb 
fleet maintained an active warfare, and forced upon the non- 
combatants unique methods of protection. The streets were 
filled with excavations made by the falling and explosion of his 
huge missiles, and the people of the town had provided them- 
selves with holes in the neighboring sandy hills, amid which they 
sought refuge during the emeny's heaviest bombardments. These 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 175 

holes, or underground houses, were of considerable extent, and 
frequently had several rooms in them, which were provided with 
beds and furniture — frequently carpeted — and were, for the time, 
the principal abodes of many of the inhabitants. They had al- 
ready been bombarded at different periods, for some months by 
the fleet, now lying in sight, both on the opposite side of the 
peninsula and below, at the mouth of the canal, and had also 
been attacked by forces from the land. They had become famil- 
iar with the deafening thunder of the mortar boats, and accus- 
tomed to the loud and terrific explosions of their massive shells, 
many of which ornamented the gate-posts of the citizens. The 
weight of these shells varied from a hundred and twenty-eight to 
two hundred and forty pounds. They were thrown high in the 
air from a distance of four miles, describing nearly a half-circle 
in their flight, and either bursted into large fragments hundreds 
of feet above the earth, or, failing to explode, buried themselves 
deep in its surface, where they frequently blew up and tore im- 
mense holes in the ground, or, the fuse having been extinguished, 
remained whole and self-deposited in these silent and undisturbed 
recesses. No more beautiful pyrotechnics could be seen than 
Porter's bombs as they came hissing from beyond the peninsula. 
At night the shelling by these mortars presented a grand display 
— luminous and brilliant as tropical stars — shooting the sky in 
lofty parabolas, and exploding to scatter their fragments over the 
city with vicious shrieks. Thrown from four miles away, at an 
angle of forty-five degrees, the fuses trailed in bright lines behind 
the iron monsters as they rose higher and higher in their aerial 
flight, like vast October meteors, until, finally, bursting among 
the very stars, their dazzling coruscations of brilliancy and 
splendor were followed by sombre gloom and the hateful whirr of 
the jagged iron, as it hurtled to the earth — perhaps finding a 
harmless grave — possibly hurrying a human being into his last 
resting place. 

General Pemberton had issued an order, or rather a request, to 
the people, especially the women, who were not inclined to incur 
the dangers and inconvenience of a siege, to remove from the 
town, and he would ask of General Grant to pass them through 
his lines — a request which he had no doubt would be acceded to ; 
but very few, if any, seemed inclined to leave, and they remained 
to share the fate of the army and abide th^ fortunes of their be- 
loved city. The sick and wounded had become crowded in the 



176 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 

hospitals; and in them were seen the forms of women, clad in 
simple, dark attire, with quiet steps and pale faces, gliding about 
and hovering around the beds of the sick and wounded ; they 
seemed to know no cessations in their days and nights of watch- 
fulness and care. Without noise, without display, meekly and 
faithfully they went forth upon their pious and holy mission, like 
ministering angels, carrying balm and healing to the poor sol- 
dier; cheering his hope of recovery, or soothing the last moments 
of expiring life. Their noble and christian devotion to the cause 
of suffering humanity throughout the South, during the war, can 
never be forgotten. 

At four, a. m., of the 22d of May, a furious cannonading was 
opened by the enemy. This continued against the stockade un- 
til eleven o'clock, tearing off great splinters and doing much 
damage among the men, when a heavy force made a charge up- 
on it. About fifty men, carrying scaling ladders, advanced to 
the ditch, planted their colors on the outer edge of the parapet, 
but finding the fire insupportable, and unable to retreat, they 
took refuge in the bottom of the trench. Here they were out of 
range, but Lieutenant K. H. Faulkner performed the perilous 
feat of lighting the fuse of bomb-shells and throwing them over, 
killing and wounding twenty-one of them. The rest escaped at 
night, carrying their darling flag with them. The fierceness of 
the fight may be judged when it is known that the Third Missouri 
infantry, although protected by breastworks, lost fifty-six men in 
killed and wounded, and each other regiment in proportion. The 
conflict was continued for nearly five hours, and the shades of 
the forest were lengthened by the setting sun, when the dispirited 
and discomfited enemy abandoned the attempt at storming the 
works, the last general attack they ventured on during the siege. 
Their charge was made by their whole army along our entire line, 
while the bombardment from over the river was kept up 
with spasmodic vigor. At only one point, which was Bald- 
win's Ferry road, did the Yankees succeed in effecting a 
lodgment in our works, a section of which they took, 
with many lusty "regulation" cheers, but, alas! for them, 
Green's men were coming. It was the point behind which the 
Second Brigade was lying, and its grey line dashed up the hill, 
without a shot, with bayonets fixed, and literally intched the Fed- 
erals over the parapet into the trench, and then leisurely shot 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 177 

them as they ran. The loss of the Second Brigade on this day 
was very small. The uniformity of incidents now became almost 
monotonous, as the siege drew its slow length along, and its fur- 
ther history is resolved into a detail of casualties and an account 
of resources hourly narrowing. Each day presented a succession 
of fighting ; the ringing of rifles, the thunder of artillery, the in- 
cessant explosion of shells, saluted the ear as a morning reveille, 
and lulled it in the hours of sleep. The enemy, from his endless 
hosts, was enabled to maintain constant reliefs, nor night nor 
day knew any change or interruption in his ceaseless fire. The 
Federals contmued to prosecute the siege vigorously. From night 
to night, and from day to day, a series of works was presented ; 
secure and strong lines of fortifications appeared ; redoubts, 
manned by well-practiced sharpshooters, were thrown out to the 
front ; parapets, blazing with artillery, crowned every knoll and 
practicable elevation around ; oblique lines of intrenchments, 
finally running into parallels, enabled the untiring foe to push 
his way slowly but steadily forward. The work of strengthening 
the fortifications on both sides was hourly going on ; and when- 
ever the heavy batteries of the besiegers tumbled the earth from 
the crest of our works, they were immediately repaired and 
made stronger. As the siege rolled on the enemy's efforts to 
reduce the city redoubled; the thunder and roar of artillery, 
both night and day, were incessant, and the rattle of musketry 
was unremitting. 



-12 



178 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



SUEEENDER. 







Take down that banner; 'tis tattered; 
Broken is its shaft, and shattered; 
And the valiant hearts are scattered 

O'er whom it floated high. 
Oh! 'tis hard for us to fold it- 
Hard to think there's few to hold it- 
Hard that those who once unrolled it. 

Now must furl it with a sigh. 
^ —3fiss Dinnies. 



Beautiful masses of clouds flecked the azure sky, through 
which the sun was sending down the fervid heat of a Southern 
July. The unceasing roar of the bombardment had almost become 
music to us, and lulled us in our very slumbers, so that when, 
on the 3d, a slight hush occurred, my attention was at once at- 
tracted. To the right of me, a white handkerchief, attached to 
a ramrod, was fluttering in the breeze, and behind, grimly await- 
ing the result, stood Pemberton and his staff. Soon silence set- 
tledon the scene ; the "confusion worse confounded" that had 
prevailed all around the circle from the crescent to the river, gave 
place to a sweet, serene, quiet summer day — lovely with the slight 
haze of white smoke drifting slowly away. The blue tint of dis- 
tant hills, and the far-off Louisiana woods, made all nature look 
pure and innocent. For forty-eight days we had been fighting, 
and hardly caught a glimpse of each other, save hurriedly and 
beneath the black smoke of a charge or the rush of a retreat. 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 179 

Now the two armies stood up and gazed at each other with won- 
dering eyes. Winding around the crests of hills — in ditches and 
trenches hitherto undreamed of by us — one long line after another 
started into view, looking like huge blue snakes coiling around 
the ill-fated city. They were amazed at the paucity of our num- 
bers ; we were astonished at the vastness of theirs. As the magic 
touch of Ithuriel's spear caused Satan, when "squat like a toad" 
in Paradise, to assume his true and gigantic stature, so this 
slight linen appurtenance of Pemberton's Adjutant brought to 
view the anaconda that had encircled us within its capacious 
folds. We recognized acquaintances and fellow-countrymen in 
the opposing host ; and as I recalled the friendships of olden days, 
I remembered that sentence in the serial invocation of Volney's 
Genius of the Euins : "What accents of madness strike my ear? 
what blind and perverse delirium disorders the spirits of the na- 
tion?" Their parallels, in many places, had been pushed to 
within twenty feet of us. Conversation was easy, and while the 
leaders were in consultation, the men engaged in the truly na- 
tional occupation of "swapping" whatever our poor boys could 
muster to stake a "dicker" on for coffee, sugar and whisky. None 
supposed the result of the official interview would be the striking 
of our gallant tiag, and when that was known, the curses of our 
men were both loud and deep. 

On the Fourth of July, like the funeral cortege of some re- 
nowned chieftain, our brigade moved out of our battered defenses, 
stacked arms, and laid across them the battle-scarred banners 
that "had flitted as they were borne" through a hundred fights. 
Dismissing the regiment, I rode into the city to see the vast 
Federal fleet come down to the landing, with pennons and 
streamers fluttering, and blaring music and blowing whistles, 
evidently in gayer spirits than we were. 



/- 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG, 



181 



APPENDIX J. 



ARMY CORPS BADGES 



FIKST CORPS. 




A SPHERE. 



SECOND CORPS. 




A TREFOIL. 



182 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBUKG. 



THIRD COEPS. 




A LOZENGE. 



FOURTH CORPS. 




AN EQUILATERAL TRIANGLE. 



FIFTH CORPS. 






A MALTESE CROSS. 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 

SIXTH CORPS. 



183 






A GREEK CROSS. 



SEVENTH CORPS. 




A OEESCENT ENCIRCLING A STAR. 



EIGHTH CORPS. 




A STAR WITH SIX RAYS. 



184 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 

NINTH COEPS. 




A SHIELD, WITH CANNON AND ANCHOR IN CENTRE. 



TENTH CORPS. 




THE TRACE OF A FDUR-BASTIONED FORT. 



ELEVENTH CORPS. 




A CRESCENT. 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 

FOURTEENTH CORPS. 




AN ACOEN. 



FIFTEENTH CORPS. 






185 



A MINIATURE CARTRIDGE BOX. 
(Set transversely on a square.) 

SIXTEENTH CORPS. 




A CIRCLE, WITH FOUR MINIE-BALLS. 



186 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBUKG. 

SEVENTEENTH COEPS. 



AN ARROW. 



EIGHTEENTH CORPS. 




A CROSS, WITH FOLIATE SIDES. 



NINETEENTH CORPS. 




A FAN-LEAVED CROSS, WITH OCTAGONAL CENTER. 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 

TWENTIETH CORPS. 



187 




A STAR. 



TWENTY-SECOND CORPS. 




QUINQUEFOLIATE IN SHAPE, WITH CIRCLE IN THE CENTER. 



TWENTY-THIRD CORPS. 




A SHIELD. 



188 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 

TWENTY-FOURTH CORPS. 




A HEART. 



TWENTY-FIFTH CORPS. 




A SQUARE. 



The corps badges were adopted by orders from the different 
army headquarters, and are recognized by the Revised Statutes 
of the United States, as follows : 

"Section 1,227. All persons who have served as officers, non- 
commissioned officers, privates, or other enlisted men, in the 
regular army, volunteer or militia forces of the United States 
during the war of the rebellion, and have been honorably dis- 
charged from the service, or still remain in the same, shall be 
entitled to wear, on occasions of ceremony, the distinctive army- 
badge ordered for or adopted by the army corps and division 
respectively in which they served." 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



189 



When army corps were consolidated, the badges were combined 
as follows : 




FIRST AND FIFTH CORPS. 




THIRD TO THE SIXTH. 




The Eleventh and Twelfth Corps were consolidated with the 
Twentieth, and the latter adopted the two badges. 



190 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBUKG. 

HANCOCK'S FIRST COEPS— VETERAN VOLUNTEERS. 




SHERIDAN'S CAVALRY CORPS. 

( Worn by Commissioned Officers.) 




WILSON'S CAVALRY CORPS. 




THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



191 



FEONTIER CAVALRY. 




ENGINEER AND PONTONIER CORPS. 




SIGNAL CORPS. 




Two flags crossed, with a flaming torch between them. The 
flags were used in signahng by day and the torch by night. 



192 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 

DEPARTMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA. 




ORIGIN OF SOME OF THE CORPS BADGES, 



TENTH CORPS. 

The service of the Tenth Corps, under Gen. Terry, in reducing 
the forts on the seaboard, suggested this badge. 

FOURTEENTH CORPS. 

Rosecrans' army, at Chattanooga, had great difl&culty in get- 
ting supplies. The Fourteenth Corps was encamped near a wood 
of oak trees, which were at that time covered with acorns. As 
the rations fell short, many of the men gathered the acorns and 
ate them roasted, till at length it was observed that they had 
become quite an important part of the ration, and the men of the 
corps jestiogly called themselves "Acorn Boys." Receiving an 
order about that time which required the adoption of a corps 
badge, the acorn was selected by acclamation. 

FIFTEENTH CORPS. 

Before the Fifteenth had any badge, an Irishman belonging to 
it went to the river near camp to fill his canteen. There he met 
a soldier of one of the newly arrived corps from the Eastern 
army, whose badges were the subject of ridicule by his comrades. 
The latter saluted the Irishman with the query, " What corps do 
you belong to ?" "The Fifteenth, sure." "Well, then, where is 
your badge ?" " My badge, is it ? Well (clapping his hand on 
his cartridge-box), here's my badge— forty rounds ! It's the order 
to always have forty rounds in our cartridge-boxes, and we 
always do." 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 193 

SEVENTEENTH CORPS. 

Gen. M. F. Force suggested the arrow to Gen. Frank P. Blair, 
commanding the corps, giving the meaning as follows : " In its 
swiftness, in its surety of striking where wanted, and in its de- 
structive powers when so intended." Gen. Blair adopted it, add- 
ing, laughingly, " The arrow denotes their swiftness, the point 
their firmness whenever they strike, and the feathers their liking 
for chickens." 

TWENTY-FOURTH CORPS. 

Major-General John Gibbon, in his orders adopting the badge, 
says : "The symbol selected is one which testifies our affection- 
ate regard for all our brave comrades — alike the living and the 
dead — who have braved the perils of this mighty conflict, and 
our devotion to the sacred cause, a cause which entitles us to the 
sympathy of every brave and true heart, and the support of 
every strong and determined hand. The Major-General com- 
manding the corps does not doubt that soldiers who have given 
their strength and blood to the fame of their former badges will 
unite in rendering the present one even more renowned than 
those under which they have heretofore marched to battle." 

TWENTY-FIFTH CORPS. 

This corps, the first to occupy Richmond, was composed 
entirely of colored soldiers. Major-General Godfrey Weitzel, in 
his order adopting the square, says: "In view of the circum- 
stances under which this corps was raised and filled, the peculiar 
claims of its individual members upon the justice and fair deal- 
ing of the prejudiced, and the regularity of the conduct of the 
troops which deserve those equal rights that have hitherto been 
denied the majority, the commanding general has been induced 
to adopt the square as the distinctive badge of the Twenty-fifth 
Army Corps. Wherever danger has been found and glory to be 
won, the heroes who have fought for immortality have been dis- 
tinguished by some emblem to which every victory added a new 
lustre. They looked upon their badge with pride, for to it they 
had given its fame. In the homes of smiling peace it recalled the 
—13 



194 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBUEG. 



days of courageous endurance and the hours of deadly strife, and 
it solaced the moment of death, for it was a symbol of a life of 
heroism and self-denial. Soldiers ! to you is given a chance, in 
this spring campaign, of making this badge immortal. Let his- 
tory record that, on the banks of the James, thirty thousand free- 
men not only gained their own liberty, but shattered the prejudice , 
of the world, and gave to the land of their birth peace, union and 
glory." 



i^j^ 




THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 



195 




"Under the sod and the dew, 
"Waiting the judgment day; 

Love and tears for the Blue, 
Tears and love for the Gray.' 



^Z^ 




INDEX. 



PEESONAL DIARY. 

Page. 
Mat 1, 1863. Embark on transports and land at Bruinsbury— Arrive at Pgrt 
Gibson— Defeat of the Confederates by McClernand's Corps— Camp in a 
ravine— Skirmishing 3 

May 2. Still at Port Gibson— Find of unsigned bank notes— signatures affixed 
by the boys for amusement— The last chicken— Treasure found in a coffee 
pot— Rations scarce 5 

May 3. Arrival of the mail— Affliction of the fellow who did not receive a letter 
from his girl— Consoled by the loan of another fellow's letter— Pursuit of 
the enemy, and skirmish at Hankinson's Ferry 6 

May 4. Shot and shell received from battery across the river— Silenced by De 
Golier's battery— Swim enjoyed in the rivei-— Driven out by the enemy's 
bullets 7 

May 5. Annoyed by skirmishers— Scouting party crosses the river— Choice 

dinner— Curious positions for letter writing 7 

May 6. Hot— Yes— Can not understand why we are guarding Hankinson's 

Ferry— Soldier's opinion of Grant 8 

May 7. Picket duty— Ari'ive at Rocky Springs— How many of "you uns" are 
there 9 

May 8. Inspection of "Yankees" by the natives— Products of a foraging expe- 
dition—Arrival of one novel— Fifty applications to read it in 

May 9. Two days' rations received with marching orders— Some ot a soldier's 

troubles— Camp at dark II 

May 10. Camp three miles from Utica 12 



May 11. Interview with a Southern lady— Can not tell when Sunday comes— 

Cotton speculators— Criticism on General Sherman 18 

May 12. Marched at daylight— 20th in the lead— Skirmish at 9 A. m.— Careless- 
ness of soldiers as to danger— Description of fight at Raymond— Mortality 
in the company— Bringing down a "Red-shirt"— Death of my comrade- 
Description of battlefield- Move to town of Raymond— Eat a dinner pre- 
pared for the Confederates —Anecdote of General Logan— Death of a com- 
rade and his appearance two years later 15 

May 13. March to Clinton, and arrive after dark— Last Confederate train- 
Make our beds out of cotton 19 

May 14. Start for Jackson— Heavy firing- Heavy rain— News of Sherman's 

capture of Jackson— Conversation with a wounded reb 20 

May 15. March from Jackson towards Vicksburg— "Attention, battalion!"— 

March through Clinton— Regret of the natives 22 



198 INDEX. 

Page. 
May 16. Slapjacks for breakfast— Reach Champion Hills about 2p.m.— Graphic 

description of the battle— Anecdotes of General Logan. 28 

May 17. Advance on Vicksburg— Camp near Black river— Fighting for gmb.. . 25 

May 18. Cross Black river on Pontoon bridge— March through abandoned 

works— Terrific scarcity of rations 26 

May 19. Arrive in front of Vicksburg— The city surrounded— Description of 
positions occupied by the respective army corps— 20th Ohio takes position 
on Jackson road 27 

May 20. Bullets plentiful— Map of the Confederacy on a blanket— Clothes 

getting sc ar ce 29 

May 21. Belief from rifle-pit duty at daylight— Description of the rifie-pits— 

Two hundred cannon firing at once 30 

May 22. Advance of the army— The cooks act as custodians for the boys when 

advancing— Advance on Fort Hill— Seventh Missouri in the lead— Eepulsed. 31 

May 23. In the rifle-pits— Zip come the bullets— A curious collection— Water 

getting scarce— Shovels plenty 32 

May 24. Sunday— Minnie balls sing cheerfully as ever— Position at the front- 
Death of an old mule, riddled by a hundred bullets— Amusements of the 
skirmishers 34 

May 25. Cessation of hostilities under a flag of truce to bury the dead— South- 
ern ideas of the war 35 

May 26. Three days' rations in haversack, five days" rations in the wagons- 
Start to look for Johnston 37 

May 27. Camp at 3 a. m.— Six regiments marching— No signs of Johnston 37 

May 28. Still on the march— Natives claim that Johnston is going to raise the 

siege— Worms in the hard tack 38 

May 29. Few graybacks in sight— Where is Johnston— 'Jamp within two miles 

of Mechanics ville 38 

May 30. Back towards Vicksburg— Frank Blair in command— In the Yazoo 

bottom— Camp at dark 38 

May 31. On the march— Camp on plantation— Grand Dinner— "You left dem 

shackasses alone"— Have not dcawn a change of clothing for two months . . 39 

June 1. Still in camp— Visit to supply depot— Grub enough in sight to supply 

millions— Ups and downs of a soldier's life 40 

June 2. Visit to the forts and rifle-pits abandoned by the Confeds— Descrip- 
tion of them 40 

June 3. Arrival of a live newsboy in camp- Comments on newspapers 42 

June 4. Move at last— Reach old quarters in front of Fort Hill 43 

June 5. New clothes— Part with the old ones with regret 45 

June 6. Still banging away— Newspaper lies 45 

June 7. Sharpshooting— Plugging effigies-Rhymes and jingles 46 

June 8. In the midst of shot and shell—Visit to the hospital, with description. . 46 

June 9. Our regiment at the front— Tunneling— Cotton bales as protection ... 47 

June 10. Very warm— Protection against the sun with cane— Description of 

shells and their peculiarities 49 



INDEX. 199 

Page. 
June 11. The rebs and their mortar practice— Bullets Hardly worth noticing— 

curious shapes of missiles when spent 40 

June 12. Looking for the paymaster-Reveries on the future— Ballad 50 

June 13. Siege continues— Cannon booming— Description of Shrapnel and 

contents— Confederate flag floating on couil house in Vicksburg 51 

June 14. Shoot and dodge— Planting siege guns— Ten yoke of oxen to move 

them— Flight of the monster missiles plainly visible 53 

June 15. Into the rifle-pits— Hard tack thrown from rifle pits into Fort Hill- 
Return of boys wounded at Raymond 54 

June 16. Relieved before daylight— A quiet night— Thoughts of homo 54 

June 17. Guarding prisoners— Prisoners not hard to guard, as they are well 
pleased with our grub— Statements as to mule meat— Drummer boy 
wounded— He don't care a darn— A hungry prisoner 55 

June 18. Rebs short of rations— Send plenty of bullets— Curious bower 
erected by four euchre players— Bursting shell no interruption— "Johnny" 
passes 56 

June 19. Been watching a month— Description and incidents of our life— Gen- 
eral A. J. Smith's way to cook beans 58 

June 20. Seven miles of artillery open on the city— No return from the enemy 
—Complaints as to our coffee— Too much contractor in it— How we make it 
inoystercans 59 

June 21. Inspection— The boys and their girls— Soldiers' letters— Friend killed 

by my side CI 

June 22. Johnston lively— Three days' rations— A wooden gun charged and 

flred into Fort Hill— Recipes to cook hard tack— Left camp at 12 m 63 

June 23. Halt at 6 a. m.— On the road to Jackson— In camp 63 

June 24. Waiting orders to march— Punishment meted out to foragers 64 

June 25. In camp— Hot— Some of the boys want "to go home" 65 

June 26. Hear that Port Hudson is taken— Throw up intrenchments 65 

June 27. Blackberries— Hasty retreat— In camp— Boiling our clothes— The 

slaughter of millions 66 

June 28. News from Fort Hill— Blown up by our Division— Darkey blown up 
with the Fort- Lived, of course— Lively sport with hand grenades- Hasty 
dressing for roll-call 66 

June 29. Rumor that Pemberton has cut his way through our lines— Quiet 

day 68 

June 30. Command under marching orders— How a soldier makes himself 
comfortable— Take only the top rail 69 

July 1. In camp— The soldier's manner of cooking— Writing by a bayonet 
candle-stick 71 

July 2. Camp Tiffln— Letters from home— Account of capture of Butternut 

Camp— At a birthday party— Hospitable treatment by Southern ladies 72 

July 3. Arrival of the paymaster— Immense five-cent poker games indulged 

in— Money by the sheet 74 

July 4. Siege ended— Vicksburg surrenders 74 



200 INDEX. 

Appendix A— Correspondence between Generals Grant and Pemberton, relat- 

ting to the surrender of Vicksburg 79 

Appendix B— Roster of Union forces operating against Vicksburg May 1— July 

4, 1863 85 

Appendix C— Roster of Confederate troops in department of Mississippi and 

Tennessee 113 

Appendix D— List of transports that passed the Vicksburg batteries 125 

Appendix E— Losses sustained by the Union and Confederate forces 130 

Appendix F— Unpublished Confederate orders 131 

Appendix G — Reminiscence of the Third Louisiana (Confederate) infantry 133 

{This reghnent occupied a position dlreclly in front of Logan's Division, to 
which the author belonged, and is very interesting as giving the other side 
to his diary. ^ 

Appendix H— Captain E. E. Houston's (of Gen'l Vaughn's Staff) history of 

Vaughn's Confederate brigade 153 

Appendix I— Confederate Reminiscences 156 

Appendix J— Fac-simile of the Army Corps badges 181 

Fac-simile of "The Vicksburg Citizen, " printed on wall-paper during the 
siege. 



■ 



. «. ,M», ,T .. ..- .-■ ..^>v*air7 



PAC-SIMILE OP "THE VICKSBUIK 



THE DAILY CITIZEN. 

J. M. SWORDS, Proprietor. 



YICKSBURG, MISS. 



THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1863. 



l2^"Mrs. Cisco was instantly killed on 
Monday, on Jackson road. Mrs. Cisco's 
husband is now in Virginia, a member of 
Moody's artillery, and the death of such a 
loving, afEectionate and dutiful wife will be 
a loss to him irreparable. 



J^"We are indebted to Major Gillespie 
for a steak of Confederate beef, alias meat. 
We have tried it, and can assure our friends 
that if it is rendered necessary, they need 
have no scruples at eating the meat. It is 
sweet, savory and tender, and so long as we 
have a mule left, we are satisfied our sol- 
diers will be content to subsist on it. 
« <i<P'>-» 

B^" Jerre Askew, one of our most es- 
teemed merchant-citizens, was wounded at 
the works in the rear of our city a few days 
since and breathed his last on Monday. 
Mr. Askew was a young man of strict in- 
tegrity, great industry, and an honor to his 
family and friends. He was a member of 
Cowan's artillery, and by the strict dis- 
charge of his duties and his obliging dispo- 
sition, won the confidence and esteem of his 
entire command. May the blow his family 
have sustained be mitigated by Him who 
doeth all things well. 



Grant's forces did a little firing on 
Tuesday afternoon, but the balance of that 
day was comparatively quiet. Yesterday 

morning they were very stil', .d continued 

so until early in the ^itemoon, when they 
sprung a mine on the left of our centre, and 
opened ^xs along the line for some distance. 
We have not beenable to ascertain anything 
definitely as to our loss, but as our ofiicers 
were on the lookout for this move of the 
enemy, the expectations of the Yankees 



Good News. — In devoting a large portioi 
of our space this morning to Federal Intel 
ligence, copied from the Memphis BuUetij 
of the 25th, it should be remembered tha 
the news in the original truth is white 
washed by the Federal Provost Marshal, 
who desires to hoodwink the poor Northeri 
white slaves. The former editors of thi 
Bulletin being rather pro-southern men 
were arrested for speaking the truth whei 
truth was unwelcome to Yankeedom, anc 
placed in the chain-gang working at War 
ronton, where they now are. This pape. 
at present is in dure«s, and edited by i 
pink-nosed, slab-sided, toad-eating Yankee 
who is a lineal descendent of Judas Iscario 
and a brother germain of the greateat Pu 
ritanical, sycophantic, howling scoundre 
unhung — Parson Brownlow. Yet with sucl 
a character, this paper cannot cloak thi 
fact that Gen. Robert E. Lee has givei 
Hooker, MQroy & Co. one of the best an( 
soundest whippings on record, and that thi 
"galorious Union" is now exceedingly weal 
in the knees. i '' 



Gen. Rob't B. Lee, Again, i 

Again we have reliable news from th 
gallant corps of Gen. Lee, in Virginia. Ela 
ted with success, encouraged by a series o 
brilliant victories, marching to and cross 
ing the Rappahannock, defeating Hooker' 
right wing, and thence through the Shen 
andoah Valley, driving Milroy from Win 
Chester, and capturing 6,000 of his men an( 
a large amount of valuable stores of all de 
scriptions, re-entering Maryland, holdini 
Hagerstown, threatening Washington City 
and within a few miles of Baltimore — on 
ward and upward their war cry — our bra-v| 
men under Lee are striking terror to th 
heart. Ox all Sfankeedom. Like the Scottis! 
chieftain's braves, Lee's men are springin 
up from moor and brake, crag and dalQ 
with flashing steel and sturdy arm, read 
to do or die in the great cause of nationl 
independence, right and honor. To-da( 
the mongrel administration of Lincoln, lik 
Japhet, are in search of a father — for thei 
old Abe has departed for parts unknowi 



were not realized by a c^-^of -?^iic , y^^ -i^^ -v^JEorr.-^ .rrjir^'? in their halls. Lee is to tb 
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T^O THE SOLDIERS OF THE LATE WAR. 



iifIHE author of this book makes his residence in the old home 



1 



of Abraham Lincoln, at Springfield, 111. He has devoted a 



large portion of the building to the display of a very extensive 
collection of personal and historical relics of the martyred 
President, and articles of various kinds connected with the war 
of the rebellion. The different portraits, medallions, busts, 
engravings, autograph letters, papers, books, pamphlets, etc., of 
Mr. Lincoln, alone, number into thousands. No such collection 
as this exists anywhere in the wide world, yet you are invited to 
call at any ti me when visiting the State Capital, and examine 
this collection/reg of charge. If any one has a book, paper, picture, 
portrait or autograph of any officer, pamphlet, shot, shell, or 
relics of the war which they would like to add to this museum, 
their offering will be received with thanks, and proper credit 
given the donor. 







A . > 

LINCOLN MEMORIAL ALBUM-IMMORTELLES: 

Original Contributions from the Hands and Hearts of Eminent 

Anaericans and Europeans. Contemporaries with 

the Great Martyr to Liberty. Collected 

and Edited by 

OSBORIS H. OI^DROYD, 

I Author of the Siege of Vicksburg.J 

WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY 

MATTHEW SIMPSON, D.D. LL.D. 
And a SKETCH OF LINCOLN'S LIFE, 

By HON. ISAAC N. ARNOLD, 

Accompanied by extracts from the speeches and recollected sayings of Abraham 

Lincoln, chronologically arranged from 1832 until his death, and with 

Anecdotes, Wise Words and Incidents related by the friends 

of his early life. 



TESTIMONIALS. 

Chicago Inter- Ocean.— It every voinig nian in the land could read these estimates 
of the Nations martyred president, it would be well. It is a book which will adorn 
the best library, and will be found as valuable as a book for reference as it is beau- 
tiful as a souvenir of the Nation's most honored son. 

Chicago Saturday Evening Herald.— The plan of the work is novel in the extreme, 
but as its development has resulted in a volume of far more than ordinary interest, 
Mr. Oldroyd must be credited with a .success which distinctly comprehends both 
conception and execuition. 

Ne.'w Orleans Item.— The story and lesson of his life are crystalized in a thousand 
forms in the Lincoln Memorial Album, so handsomely prepared and edited by that 
devoted admirer of the martyr President. Mr. O. H. Oldroyd, of Springfield, 111, 

New Yoi'k Times,— There is a large number of persons who will be glad to read 
this excellent sentiment over and over again for the better part of the GOO pages. 

The Daily Denver JSfews.— The universal comment of the press upon this book are 
to the effect that it has met with greater favor than any book published for many 
years. 

Benson J. Lossing.— The contents of the Lincoln Memorial Album form aprecious 
offering to the memory of the martyr President. I am sure every American who 
may become acquainted with the book will thank Mr. Oldroyd for its conception and 
its successful production. 

yldmiraZ Z»ari(Z Z>. Porier.— It is very interesting and takes a prominent place in 
the history of the rebellion. 

Mr. 0. H. Oldroyd:— Your book is full of interest. You have done a good work 
in compiling and preparing it. M. Simpson. 

Mr. 0. H. Oldroyd: Dear Sir:— I have your delightful volume on Lincoln. It is a 
treasure. Theo. L. Cuylee 

Letamotlier of an American lay this book in her boy's hands saying never a 
word, and she will rear an apostle of freedom. Rob't McIntyee. 

English Cloth, Cold and Black Enameled, ... $3.00 

Strongly Bound in Sheep-Library Style, ... 4.00 

Beautifully Bound in Half Turkey Moroco, Marbled Edges, 5.00 

Elegantly Bound in Full Turkey Morocco, Cilt Edges, - 6.00 
SOLD ONLY BY SUBSCRIPTION. 

«S=-This book can only be obtained from our duly appointed Agents, or by 

addressing 

O. H. OLDROYD, Publisher, 

Special Inducements to Agents. SPRINGFIELD, ILL 

THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURC. 

English Cloth, Cold and Black Enameled, - - $1.50 

Full Turkey Mrrocco, _ . - - - 2.50 



